Missing Passion

"If we dared to live beyond our self-concern; if we refused to shrink from being vulnerable; if we took nothing but a compassionate attitude toward the world; if we were a counterculture to our nations lunatic lust for pride of place, power, and possessions; if we preferred to be faithful rather than successful, the walls of indifference to Jesus Christ would crumble. A handful of us could be ignored by society, but hundreds, thousands, millions of such servants would overwhelm the world." -Brennan Manning

I don't know about you, but this statement gets me pretty fired up. I have been praying, seeking, and striving for passion and fire. As of late, I've identified more with a measly candle, when what I really want to be is a blazing inferno. I've grown tired and restless thinking I can just wait for it to come...that I would magically wake up one morning, and there it would be...passion in a nice little box with a red shiny bow. I, instead, decided to take the proactive approach...the Word, music, other believers, books, past journals, and, of course, prayer. I think God likes to see us crave Him as much as we appear to crave things in this world. If we want something bad enough, we make it happen, right? So, why should it be any different with Him? Are you content with where you are with God? Is it enough? OR are you settling? I'm pretty sure there is far more depth to our relationship with Him then what we have. I'm not sure our minds can even begin to imagine the magnitude of the relationship He wants to have with us.

So, back to the quote above...a challenge for me, and hopefully for you...dare to live, don't shrink back, overflow with compassion, strive to be counterculture, rise above mediocrity, and cling to faith. If we all dared to live like this, just think of the amazing things that might come of it..."hundreds, thousands, millions of such servants would overwhelm the world."

One day He will return, and I pray until that day comes that more and more people will be obedient to the stirs and in their heart to reach the billions of lost souls in this world. One day...

And from Mr John Piper...

"God is pursuing with omnipotent passion a worldwide purpose of gathering joyful worshippers for Himself from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. He has an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the supremacy of His name among the nations. Therefore, let us bring our affections into line with His, and, for the sake of His name, let us renounce the quest for worldly comforts and join His global purpose."