There used to be a Television show called Driven. This show chronicled the lives of people who rose to the pinnacle of their profession. This particular show was basically only looking at figures in the entertainment industry. We got to hear stories from friends and family about how a particular person’s life was basically consumed with reaching that goal and obtaining that “prize”. Regardless of the person and the profession, there is one thing they all possessed, although it’s arguably misplaced, that is essential to their success and ours.
Passion.
I’m not speaking of passion of the sexual nature. I’m speaking of the passion that is defined by Merriam-Webster as “intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction”.
This is what 1 Corinthians 9:23-25 is referring to.
23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
We as followers of Christ should be passionate about pursuing God and God’s interests.
God’s interests are documented through out the bible. Many of these interests are visible when actively carrying them out. Things like caring for the poor and widows and even evangelism are all things that are physical actions. While these are actions believers should be involved in, they are only part of the equation.
God created man for the purpose of having a relationship with him. Have you ever been in a relationship that is one-sided? The relationship may not be considered terrible, but it is definitely not functioning as desired. I believe if we’re not careful, we can degenerate into this type of relationship with our Lord. Yes, we read His word. Yes, we try our best to live as He instructs. Yes, we try to learn more about God. Yes, we know He repeatedly expresses His love for us. But my question is this, how much do we express our love for Him?
So, then the question becomes “what can we give God”? This is the ultimate “what do you get the person who has everything” situation. What can we possible give the One who created the universe and everything in it? What can we give the One who not only was around before and will be around after, but also created time?
The only thing God has given up the right to own is the very thing that is most precious to Him. Our hearts. How much sadness we must put God through when we relegate our relationship with Him to a “take-take” relationship; never taking the time to share our hearts with Him. We must guard against operating from the perspective of “I’ve done this and this and this for you, so obviously that shows my love”. In marriage terms, this type of relationship is typically termed an “empty” or “love-less” marriage.
I believe one of the reasons God called David a man after his own heart was because David showed his heart. Not only did David show his heart to God, but he documented his heart in the Psalms and shared it with the world. That puts to shame our tendency to be reserved in worship.
In our times of praise and worship through song, our first and foremost goal is to provide the opportunity to share our hearts with God. To give to Him our heart-felt love and thanks. We should do so with passion. We should worship with an intense drive to pursue God and to bless God with a passion that is unmistakable.
Psalm 9: 1-2
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
2 I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.
Misplaced passion is a problem, but an even more ominous position to hold is that of apathy. Someone who has misplaced passion can have that passion redirected toward something of eternal value. A person mired in apathy must be awakened before any direction can be had. It’s my hope that none of us would be found in that state of apathy in worship.
Psalm 32: 10-11
10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
If there were ever any television shows documenting the lives of people driven by their passion for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, would an episode be made about you?
