Spark The Passion
Even though Mike had a wonderful relationship with my Dad, he was very nervous about asking for my hand in marriage. but wanted it over with! ---Ready to tell the world about it. The four of us were in the mountains and had been swimming at the falls. As Mom and I walked in the front door, Mike asked Dad if he could talk to him. Mom and I knew what he was doing so we laid on the floor peeking out of the bottom blind trying to hear! We were giggling and so excited and silly!! When they walked in, we ran to the other room like we had no clue what was going on. When I got the ring, my boss took a picture of my hand on the copier and faxed it to my dad so he could drive to the lake and show my mom. This was before cell phones and we had no phone at the lake. Mom and Dad's friends got together to toast another child getting engaged. Then the engagement party. So much excitement and so many people to tell!
As Mike and I celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary I am reminded of that excitement. Oh it hasn't always been fun and exciting but thanks be to God, we have made it! Only because we try to put God first in this marriage of three. I saw this quote recently, "A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other." And I think it should read, "A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other because they have God in their marriage."
The more I think of that the more I think of the excitement we should have to go tell everyone about Jesus and what He has done in our life! If we can feel that excitement and passion for a person, surely we can feel it for God. After all, He loves us more than anyone! Romans 1: 16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
In a recent sermon, my pastor shared if Jesus is our first love, we will tell others about it. His mission will become our priority. Our love for Jesus should motivate us to share the Good News! Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The mission is simple. We are to fulfill it. If we are not doing that then we need to question our love for Him.
When we truly love someone, it will change our priorities. Their priorities become our priorities because of our love. There are a lot of things that Mike and I have to give and take for each other. Mike likes to watch action shows and I like comedies. After years, we find shows that we both like and I think we have both changed while giving into the other's ways. Mike likes to go out to breakfast on Saturdays and I like to lay there and not be rushed. Now, we take our time and go to brunch. It is our love for each other that changes things.
If we truly love Jesus we should make Him our First Love today. Pray and ask God to make you have that passion for Him again. Ask Him to set you on fire and let the world watch you burn! Do you need to spark the passion?
“May the fire of the Holy Spirit in you burn brighter than the fire of the world burning around you.”