Words to Grow On

August 2, 2004

WOMEN OF PASSION

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though Something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be Overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4: 12-13

 This is the year of more controversy in the news and on television regarding the Passion of Christ than has been viewed in a long time. Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion of the Christ, has created a stir among actors in Hollywood as well as many scholars who question the vivid scenes of gore on the screen. Meanwhile, others viewing these same vivid scenes of our suffering Lord have made stronger commitments to God and thousands have prayed for salvation.

I find myself consumed with thoughts today about the passion that dominated Jesus’ life from the Garden to the Cross. The Gospels tell us that Jesus prayed that the hour must pass from Him. He prayed that God would take this cup from Him. He prayed saying that His Soul was overwhelmed with sorrow and finally He prayed to His Father saying, “ Not what I will, but what You will.”

In the garden He did not just pray, He pleaded, He sweat a soaking sweat, and He cried out. He was filled with passion as He understood and accepted God’s mandate for Him to die such a cruel death. With all the passion He could display He endured the floggings and beatings over and over again. With passion for fulfilling God’s request, He bore the crown of thorns that was pushed into the flesh of His scalp. It was with the same passion that He carried the cross as far as He could on the journey to Calvary and it was passion in giving His life for us that sustained Him as nails were driven into his hands and feet. His passion to do the will of His Father kept him alive to express His caring concern for His mother. From the cross He cared for the thief, the many mockers around Him that day, and all sinners in need of His loving sacrifice.

As I relive those final hours of the passionate grueling suffering and death of Jesus, I feel an urgency to re-evaluate my passion in serving Him. Perhaps you would like to re-evaluate your passion in loving service for your Savior.

Passion is commitment, zeal, enthusiasm, eagerness, and obligation. It is a promise or vow to be kept once we commit our lives to Jesus.

Passion in service will not always be easy. We will find that our passion to serve him will be met with difficult circumstances. We don’t want to say with Peter, “Lord, I will die for you” then out of fear and a lack of understanding deny Jesus by the way we live.

Do we have passion to witness to others about Him no matter what the situation? Do we have enough passion for Him that we would stand alone? Is our passion so great that we will pick up another sister’s load and carry it for her? Do we really have the passion to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and pray with those in prisons? Do we have the passion to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves? Do we have the passion to forgive and love those that persecute us, those who have been unfaithful to us, and those who have put us through painful trials and sufferings? Are we willing to passionately serve Him no matter what the cost?

As I write these thoughts I am praying that I, as well as any women reading my thoughts today, will be more determined than ever to show passion to do the will of our Heavenly Father in our daily walk. May we show passion in leading our children to Jesus, passion in leading other family members to Him, passion in helping other women to know the love of Christ, passion in meeting the needs of fellow members in our congregations, passion to become women disciples willing to preach, teach, lead, and fulfill any other obligation required of us to get out the message of redemption through the blood of Jesus.

Song number 462 written by Brindley Boon in The Salvation Army songbook reads in the last verse: “Lord, release that latent passion which inme has dormant lain” That would be my desire and I hope yours today. I want to serve my Lord, my Savior, Jesus Christ with all the passion, enthusiasm, commitment, zeal, dedication, and eagerness I can give until the day of rejoicing when His Glory is revealed. How about you?

Prayer: Father, thank you for the mandate you gave to Jesus. I thank you Jesus for your passionate desire to serve your Father. I pray that I will be able to serve you with love and passion until the day You call me home. Amen