Passion

Before he was a Christian, Jeff Pratt was a leader in the mormon church, and this week he came to speak with us about passion. He started with a story about his days as a mormon, and how he traveled cross country with a pretty girl who left her christian church to become a mormon. She said it was because of his passion.


"Passion is attractive and contagious in today's society," he said.

So what does that say to a guy like me, who is passionate about everything and nothing at the same time. I know in the past i was passionate about all sorts of destructive habits. Did that passion cause other people to get wrapped up in them too? And what about the times when i had so many things on my plate, that i couldn't seem to get passionate about a single thing? I have people yell at me all the time because I don't get passionate about their vision. I mean, if it's your vision, why should i care? Do you ever feel that way?

I now realize that it wasn't necessarily his passion that won her over, as much as it was her lack of passion that allowed his passion to be effective. We have seminars, text books, leadership camps and the like, that will teach you how to get others passionate about your vision. But here is a different idea; what about helping them get passionate about their own vision? I mean, will I be held accountable for not being persausive enough, or will I be held accountable for my lack of personal passion? More importantly, will you be held accountable for my lack of passion or yours (Rev 3:16)?

I'm not trying to persuade you to agree or disagree with me about the burdens and responsibilities of a leader. Hey, what does a 25 year old know about leadership? Instead, I say these things, because i'm on a personal journey to find my passions, and want to show you what i'm struggling with. Althought I am thankful to have a starting point. Jeff said:

"Passion for Jesus is the fruit of my awareness of His love for me."

Amen. Do you lack passion, specifically for Jesus or the Church? Try to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ for you (eph 3:17-19). Tell Him that you don't grasp it, and then ask Him to show that it to you. I know He wants to show you His love, and I know that knowledge will transform your life if you let Him.