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| photo courtesy of graphicstock.com |
Ever
done anything, no matter how good and noble, out of a sense of obligation and passion for it
was never in the same room with you? Or even the same Zip Code? There is a
numbness that comes over me when I let that happen. Joy is not a part of the
task and a task is what it becomes. There is no joy in the equation and energy
is not a multiplier in the formula for getting it done, I just slog through to
the completion. I know I’ve crossed all the t’s and dotted all the i’s and
something is still missing when all is said and done and I know someone can
tell. I can tell. And when it’s done there is a sense of relief.
On
the other hand, when an obligation, even a disagreeable necessity, is taken on
with passion the outcome is different. The t may be barely slashed and dotted i’s
off kilter and still somehow the results are more satisfying. People can tell
the difference. I can tell. And when it’s done there is a sense of
accomplishment.
What
is the difference between a task taken on because of obligation and without
passion and one with? Love. Love for the task or activity or a love for the beneficiary
infuses the outcome with life and even the onus, or the disagreeable necessity,
is lite and fulfilling. Jesus, as he so often does, says it very well, 28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11: 28-30, NIV)
The Passion of
Jesus is generally defined as the short period of time from Jesus's triumphal
entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and culminating with his death on Good
Friday. This culmination was the most disagreeable task God has undertaken and it
would never have had its intended effect without passion. Jesus was passionate
about doing everything the Father showed him and completing every task the
Father laid in front of him, no matter how onerous.
Picture Jesus
strolling along into Jerusalem, shuffling his feet, head down, and barely
avoiding bumping into everyone while his disciples wondered in without
anticipation because their Christ had no passion. Every once in a while he’d
reach over and touch somebody and mumble, “You’re healed, go your way.” See
Jesus ambling up to Caiphas’ place and rapping on the door and saying, “Hey
bro, I’m the Christ, Son of God. I hear you want me dead. Let’s get this over
with.”
Do you see?
Without Jesus’ overwhelming love for everything the Father said and needed
done, the sacrifice wouldn’t have worked and maybe would never have taken
place. Without Jesus unfailing love for his disciples they never would have
gotten it, the Church would never have been born and we wouldn’t be eagerly
awaiting his triumphant return and we'd be without salvation.
When it comes to
those things we know we need to be doing for God’s Kingdom, all those things we
need to do as servants and ambassadors for Christ we need to make sure that our
furnace is stoked with passion. Things we need to do for our churches, our
families, and our friends need to be backed with a love that allows us a
satisfying outcome lest all our accomplishments be in vain. We must love the
Christ and do all things as unto him even when we are doing them for the least
in our world.
Notice back in
the first paragraph where I said, “…when I let that happen”. It is ultimately
up to us to stoke the fires and find the passion to drive us to finish well
even the little things we need to be about and doing.
Let us not forget
the ultimate goal is hear these words from Lord or words of similar sentiment
from the beneficiaries of our efforts: “"His master replied, 'Well done, good
and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you
in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
(Matthew 25:21, NIV)
Peace and Passion friends, stoke it up!
jerry
