Thursday, August 3, 2017

August 4, 2017

"Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them." Matthew 22:38-40

Everyone is passionate about something.

What are you passionate about?

Is what you are passionate about worthy of your passion?

And the big question - is what you are most passionate about getting in the way of what you should be most passionate about?

What do you call it when what you are more passionate about prevents you from being most passionate about God?

Idolatry. 

Being passionate about Barbara and our marriage is very important to me. It occupies a high priority in my life. But pursuing that passion cannot get in the way of pursuing my passion for God. 

Barbara may be an angel but I can't allow her to be an idol.

On the contrary, I have discovered when my passion for God is supreme my passion for her is most pure and fulfilling.

The same is true of my children or my grandchildren.

There was a time in my life when baseball was the thing I was most passionate about. I pursued it with more energy and focus than I pursued God. During that period I would have to admit it was my idol.

Again, interestingly enough, when I confessed that and repented of my idolatry I found myself becoming a better ball player and enjoying it more!

The same has been true of golf from time to time.

A good question to ask from time to time, "Is this thing I am living for worth dying for?"

Passion is a powerful force.

Misdirected passion is powerfully destructive.

Only God is worthy of my most intense passion. Anyone or anything less leads to idolatry, dissatisfaction, disillusionment and eventually death.

Only God is worthy of your passion.

Pray with me, "God, I thank you for the passionate love you have for me. As I start this day, cast down any idols in my life and forgive me for my idolatry. I repent of my misplaced passion and ask you to place your Godly passion in my heart. Be my first love today, Heavenly Father."