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Chapter Three
Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen
I sat down and re-read this chapter after doing two loads of laundry, vacuuming the first and second floors and mopping the kitchen.
Was I passionate about doing housework? NO!!
Did I do it in the spirit of Colossians 3:23? NO!!
OK. I feel better now after that confession! Someone made this statement last week: “I need to find a way to have passion for my chores, so they are not a burden to do them, but a joy.” I agree. It’s hard for me to view housework as something to do “unto the Lord”, and yet, the state of my house contributes directly to my family’s quality of life. I said last week that I view my role at church to be a servant. Shouldn’t I also be serving the Lord at home? I may never be asked to serve the Lord by going to India, like William Cary, or to Russia, like Pastor and Heather, but I can serve the Lord here, by making sure my house is clean. I think the answer to having a passion to do something that you don’t particularly feel passionate about is to hand it over to the Lord as your sacrifice, with a willing heart. To me, that means starting out with prayer, giving it to the Lord, then doing it for the Lord. I usually remember to do that with the big stuff, and usually forget to do that with the small, everyday stuff.
Is that an easy thing to do? Obviously, today it was not.
I pray that the Lord will help me fulfill Colossians 23 by doing everything “heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
p. 23 "As you move into your life with passion, you will find as much satisfaction and fulfillment as William Cary did in India".
As Dr. Jeremiah notes, we are not all called to be missionaries or Olympic runners. Our "whatever" consists of a combination of our gifts and talents and God's unique call on your life. My daughter used to say that she could never do my job as a nurse; she thought everything I did was gross. Yet I love it, and God has given me such a love for my elderly residents at the nursing home. It is easy to be passionate about my job. Even though at times, it does have gross aspects, I look at the big picture. My daughter worked for a while as a social worker with mentally challenged people, and I would find that very difficult, but God didn't ask me to do that.
Question: does He sometimes ask us to do things that we don't like, or are difficult, or outside our comfort zone? Of course the answer is yes. So how do you get passionate about the difficult things God puts on our plate? Partly by obeying God's command in Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." He doesn't ask us to do only the things we like heartily. Just went back to the top of p. 14, and see that Paul gives a list of things that are not necessarily easy, but we're to do them anyway.
A life of passion is a life of sacrifice; it will cost something. But we remember that Jesus gave all He had to give for me/ for us. And while "there is risk, there is sacrifice, and there is pain-----------there is always joy!"
I leave tomorrow for Russia. Please pray for me, that I will serve the Lord passionately for these two weeks, that all that I do will be for God's glory. "To be used of God, is my desire".
I will be praying for you all.
Hi everyone,
Hope God has given you all a good week, and that this week will be a blessing to all of you too.
I understand the passion that the men David Jeremiah describes in the book have for their callings. I feel the same way when I am doing something I really enjoy. I get so much joy when I see a doll ( that one was just pieces of cloth ) finished, I actually am so excited I feel like a little kid.
I agree with Charles Spurgeon on page 29 when he said "It is not how much we have, but How much we enjoy, that makes happiness"
I have alot of things and before I became a Christian I continued to acquire things because I thought that it made me happy. But I always needed something more to continue to keep me happy. Then I got saved and I slowly learned that happiness comes from within, not from things. I buy very few things anymore and I am happier than I ever was. I have learned how to enjoy myself when I am doing something or nothing. I have a joy inside of me that I find hard to describe, except to say that I am content with where God has me in my life. I have many challenges to deal with on a daily basis, but with God to help me the going is alot easier.
I have not been faced with doing much yet that requires sacrifice, but God had to deal with all my human problems first and get me to grow up. I know he has sacrifices planned for me as I get my Families in Need ministry going, but I am not sure he has me where I am supposed to be yet. I am sure he will fax me a note when I am ready. HAHA
NOW IF ONLY I COULD GET THAT CLEANING STARTED AND BE HAPPY ABOUT IT !!
I enjoyed the story behind William Carry. I am sure he was an excellent Shoemaker, but God gave him an even greater passion!
So we are encouraged on pg. 23 and beyond, to work with all your heart, pouring all we have out for our passion. Pouring out our very life into what we do. It sounds good on paper, but have we not heard (or be honest, perhaps we have even said...) "don't get carried away, you need a balance." I have shared things about whatever, and people have been known to say things in the opposite direction, even to discouraging what may be a calling/prompting from God. Sometimes I believe we think these giving it all we have got, sacrifice, was for Christs' people in days gone by, but now, we live in a day where, well we just can't do that. and we make excuses, blaming our culture, pressure, financial burdens, etc. etc. on why we can't give our all to God. And often we finish up the statement by saying..."But God understands!" Do we make excuses for ourselves, and for others, too?
I liked the principle at the top of pg. 24..."No other person can hear our calling". I really, really liked that. It is so true. When God shows us something, or lays something upon us, it is rare that someone can really appreciate it to the depth that we can, in fact, I wonder if anyone really can. But this should not discourage us, for we need to remember, that though we may not hear that calling...we CAN support, encourage, pray, and whatever else God may lead us to as we come along side that person as a support! I liked the reminder that we can not live in a fever pitch all the time. And the importance to have the stamina to serve consistently, for the long hall. My husband is not a real emotional person, but I have come to appreciate his level, consistency that he has. There is stability in that. Yes, it certainly seems to be easier to have a sudden burst of passion for the Lord, but we must remember to have the stamina of have a strong, sustaining pace as we serve Him. And this comes only by the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Loved the statement on pg. 29..."And you see that there are no other passions that can measure up to the passion for God." That is a wonderful reminder...for there is NOTHING that can measure up to God but God Himself, His Son and His Spirit!!! So how could any other kind of a passion have a chance??
Pg. 30....last page of the chapter...he lists different careers and that we should be doing them with passion. It sounds great, but I had an opposite experience a few years ago, that I have finally accepted, from the Lord. Just as one of the women shared the other week that God has given her the ability to sing and that is her passion...so God had given me an art ability in one form or another. And I just loved it! I was consumed with doing art and loved to create. But God showed me a few years ago that I could not have a passion for art and a passion for Him. He told me He would not share His glory with my art. It was either Him or my love for creating. A natural ability, that He gave me, but He made it clear He would not fight for number one in my life - - I had to decide, who I would serve, Him or my love for creating. In the words of Dr. Jeremiah, God clearly pointed out, I needed to be passionate...but my passion must be for God. Anything else would not do. It took me awhile to accept it. But slowly now I am seeing progress and my passion for God grows and my love for art has diminished.
So my passion for art, would not allow me to reach my God given potential He had for me. (pg, 3) I guess that is a strange twist to the theme of doing things with passion. Or maybe it isn't all that strange...kind of like having a love for racing, but being in the wrong race, running, but being on the wrong track! ???
"You Gotta Have Heart"-- to be like Christ; you gotta have a heart of sacrifice-- to be like Christ. "A life of passion is a life of sacrifice"(pgs26-28). This is what really stood out to me in chapter 3. As I first read I said "OF COURSE" and got aggravated by the fact that EVERYTHING good seems to require sacrifice! But as I read and thought about what Christ has done for me--Jesus gave ALL He had to give to save me, and without Him I am/have nothing.
So dwelling on that aspect, I looked at my "everyday" passions not "momentary" passions--passion to serve Him and in turn the family,friends,and ministry He has given to me to share this passion and joy. I saw how it really is worth more than the things I need to sacrifice. As Paul states in Gal. 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
This chapter seemed almost like a personal lecture! What I got out of it, basically, was that I need to be passionate about homeschooling my kids, being a housewife and mother because I'm already doing those things. As far as pg. 23 when he talked about the definition of a passionate life being gifts + talents + calling, I'm not sure how to do that. I guess that is what I'm struggling with - I feel like there should be something more in my life and I'm not sure to what God is calling me to do at this time. I did appreciate him saying that it is more of a sustained effort than an occasional mountainpeak effort. Although it could seem harder (no breaks), it also seems easier if I'm not expected to act like I've just been on the mountainpeak all the time.
I liked on page 25 when he says that " Everyday passion maintains momentum and persists at the task even when the emotions of momentary passion are absent". I feel that way about my family. In the moment I may not have the passion but in the long run I would rather be with them than anywhere else. I need to have more of an everyday passion to serve the Lord.
Colossians 3:23 - "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men." That verse is one the Lord has used to work with me in the past. What really stuck out to me while reading it in this chapter was the part "as unto the Lord". Even if we do things heartily, we're not getting it right unless we're doing them "as unto the Lord". Maybe the author will address this in the next chapter.
I was grateful for the last few paragraphs in this chapter. After all, very few people will make the noteworthy (at least in the world's or even in the church's eyes) impact that people like Eric Liddell or William Carey have had. God gives different gifts and different levels of potential ability to His people. I want to reach the potential God has for me, and I want to be content with that (I have a tendency to be a perfectionist!)
I too, really liked the reminder that no other person can hear our calling. We must listen and act on it for ourselves. Which is probably why we can do things heartily, as unto the Lord, even when it doesn't make sense to others. I find myself in that predicament often. People ask me why I help a certain person so much, and can't I see that she's taking advantage of me?? To which I say, uh, no, because I'm not doing it for her, I'm doing it as unto the Lord. Not of pity, but of service. At least that's my heart's attitude, and so my actions, while they seem wasted to some, are like a secret act of love to my Savior. Does that make sense? It sort of did to me when I read about the "sustainable passion".(p. 25) I know I'm helping someone as unto the Lord, and that gives me joy, even though the help isn't acknowleged (in this life anyway).
Another highlight for chapter 3 was on p. 29 where Dr. Jeremiah says "Passionate people would rather fail at something they love than succeed at something they hate." Think about it. I'm there with him. I think the whole success thing is over-rated. Why are we so enthralled with money, celebrity, fame, praises of men, etc. Wouldn't you rather do something you love in light of Col. 3:23 and do it well, and not even be noticed of men? Therein lies joy. I see so many people LOADED with this world's goods, and sooooo discontent. Not able to praise God for the abundance we all posess, but always looking for newer, better, bigger...as a Christian, I think all that will be waiting in heaven. I need to find more joy in everyday occurences and embrace it. I'll be working on it.
Hi Ladies,
Hope you all are doing well. I am enjoying the book. I find it quite challenging.
In the area of sacrifice, I have sacrificed much, but I know there is much to come. At times it scares me at times I have the faith to trust it is all well with my soul.
As I said in the first chapter update, fatigue and selfishness hinder me from being as passionate as I believe God desires, yet I know I will never be perfect. There has to be a balance. I desire to hold nothing back, I know life is not worth living unless it's totally for Him.. It's not about me, it's about Him. He is the purpose we are here. To share His love with others so others will worship Him. The Lord gives me so much joy in following the passion. Yet I need to do it more passionately. Does that make sense?
God is so amazing and so comforting.
Hi Everyone!
I am really enjoying this book, a lot of it I have already thought about but the book is really giving it some framework.
The part that really hit me in this chapter was the quote that basically said that Christianity is not for wimps. Even here at a Christian college I am often told that I am just a little bit too enthusiastic and energetic when it comes to Christianity. I will admit that I can come on a bit strong sometimes :) but its good to hear that God expects us to live all-out for Him! Its also a challenge to devote my every minute to Him, not just the 'Christian' activities I'm involved in. To me that means that no matter what I am doing I should be using it for His glory, even if it appears to be an entirely secular activity.
It was great reading everyones responses, I hope you have a great rest of the week!
I am in the middle of implementing a new software system for the entire civil court (not me alone). This chapter helped me through the week. Reminding me to do it all to His glory keeps me focused. I truly love my job. I know that God has given me the gifts to do my job and it is a passion just to do it well, by His grace.
I also realized that the Biblical Counseling classes that I am taking are one of those things that you just know God has orchestrated in your life. I am studying with an awesome group of people to use the bible to help people solve their problems, God's way. My passion is to serve God and to be an encourager. I will be able to do this as a biblical counselor.
I am passionate about this book now!
Chapter Four
Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen
Two things jump out at me from this chapter:
1) God is watching everything we do. If we love Him, we will "work with a passion that reflects how we feel about the One we work for." It's not up to us to make the evaluation of what job is important, what person is important. "Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was Me-------you did it to Me" (Matthew 25:40)
2) God gives us the strength. When we are serving Him, obeying Him, He gives us time, strength, energy, joy, things we never ask or expect. I say that from personal experience. When in Russia, I don't even remember all the arthritis aches and pains that accompany most of my days in the USA. I find myself doing many things for the Lord here, but still have time for what I consider the necessary parts of my life-----you know, the fun things like cooking, cleaning, laundry. "Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back-----given back with bonus and blessing" (Luke 6:38)
What a chapter! Kinda puts everything into perspective.
For whom do I work? Or, for whom should I be working when I’m bumping around the house complaining about housework? Or when I’m working with a difficult co-worker at the office? I would love to be more like Brother Lawrence (page 33). I liked the picture of God working with us “shoulder to shoulder” as was mentioned on page 37. One of the promises I claimed when I got saved was Matthew 28:20b: “and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Now, I realize that not only is God with me always, but he is there to help me, and work with me! He will not give me more than I can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13), and His strength is always available to me (Philippians 4:13).
I really appreciated the description of our inheritance on pages 38-39. I lose sight of the big picture on a regular basis, and need the reminder of our eternal reward. It’s easy for me to be “head down, looking at my feet”, instead of “head up, looking up to heaven.” I need to live for my “audience of one.”
Hi! Chapter 4 already? Wow time goes so quickly. Here are my thoughts of the chapter...
The part that made me think the most is pg 40-- Approaching each crisis--or even life, with the attitude that "Jesus Himself is beside me, holding my hand, protecting me." I was reminded of 1 Cor. 10:13 where we are told that "God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."
Also, Peterson's translation of the Luke passage (pg 34,35) made me ponder about living a Christ-like life even at my worst!!! Do I do that? hardly! I have noticed,during a lot of my WORST times is when an unexpected visitor comes to my door or I get a call from someone in need---urgh! I then question, how am I to minister when I am like this? The answer--live Christ-like even at my worst; work to please Him always! A hard, but possible task!!
Lastly, from page 37 the scenario of the business with our inheritance and life's work. It is reassuring to know that God doesn't look for perfection but rather on our heart--our passion.
"...for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7
I am SO thankful for the Lord's goodness and grace--for loving me even when I am undeserving and unlovable!!!
P.S. God is watching us!!!
Praying for you all as we journey together,
Several things struck me while I was reading chapter 4:
Page 32 talked about "God is watching" all the time and everywhere. That's not a new concept by any means, but it was a good reminder that it should lead to a greater desire to serve and to please Him. I need to post Col. 3:23-24 where I can see it all the time! "There is no task in this world you cannot perform with passion, as long as you remember who that task is for and all that He has already done for you." (pg. 33)
The other thing that REALLY struck me was the example of Brother Lawrence. Ouch!! I'm sure that was written just for me! In addition to schooling my to children, my main tasks in life currently are to cook and clean! I must admit I do not usually do those things with a great passion! While a new recipe can inspire some excitement (especially if everyone likes it), I need have a better attitude about doing the "mundane" things in life. I need to cook and clean as if Jesus were coming tonight!
I must admit that I, too, was not real keen on the sports analogies, but I suppose one must write a book to appeal to a wide audience. And, after all, it is a man who is doing the writing :-).
I really liked this chapter.
All those benefits listed on pages 38 an 39 that God gives to His children in addition to salvation are amazing. Just think - we can live with and for the wonderful God who gives us these things!
Brother Lawrence is a great inspiration for living out that constant fellowship with the Lord. Unfortunately I find myself experiencing that fellowship not nearly as often as I could or should. How easily I become distracted.
Not a deep thought, but found it interesting anyway..."Good leaders motivate us because of who they are"...it made me think...how we have THE GREATEST leader...Jesus Christ....that should motivate us.
A good reminder on pg. 34, that who ever crosses our paths has been created and loved by God, and we therefore must serve and love him too. I need to remember that!
If I would have to sum up the chapter I would say that we must CONSTANTLY remember that everything we do must be done unto God. Any other motivation short of that, will open the door for waxing, waning and fluctuating of our emotions and will spill over quickly to our actions.
To sum up the chapter in a verse would be for me Acts 5:29....to obey God rather than men. It sounds good to say we are passionate about something. ...like that town that was passionate in weaving that silly twine...yes, they were passionate. But in light of eternity, how important is it? I think the key is to be abiding in Christ and praying that He will reveal to us what HIS call is...what we should be passionate about. Even though we may be passionate about good things, even biblical things....if this passion did not start in the mind of Christ first...we too may be vainly working on a piece of twine.
There are a lot of good things out there to be passionate for. And there are a lot of things God's word tells us to do, but we are also to remember we can not do it all. If each of us does what God calls us to do...then everything will get done for God! (quote from a good friend :)
Being passionate, in and of itself is not enough...to hear the voice of our Good Shepherd to show us His passion is what we need to be asking for of God.
Hey everyone!
I liked this chapter because it talked about God seeing everything you do. I have always thought that God saw everything and that's why we shouldn't do anything wrong even when no one is looking, but it also means that when you do something right and no one notices God sees. Its comforting to know that even when I think I am alone in standing for what I think is right and everyone else tells me I am being too conservative or too old fashioned that God sees and that He is helping me to follow Him every step of the way.
Have a great rest of the week!
Passion! I am applying all that I am learning to the implementation phase of a very long computer software replacement system at work.
I am trying to also be encouraging to others involved by sharing the lesson to pursue with the Lord as our focus and not the product. Keep me in your prayers. My stress level right now is running consistently high and this book could not have come at a better time for me. It is helping to keep me joyous!
God is good, all the time.
Hi girls,
Hope you all had a good week.
Well I found an answer to my cleaning without passion problem when I read the story about brother Lawrence.
God has given me this house and all the things in it, and I should enjoy taking care of what he has been so kind to give me. So as I go about getting started on housecleaning my 1st floor, I am going to do it with passion, because if God had not been so kind I would have nothing to clean !
Eric Liddell might have been criticized for not running on the sabbath, but the Bible does say that we are not to work on the sabbath, we are to take a day of rest and keep the day holy. I try very hard not to work on a Sunday. I do not always succeed at this, occasionally I have paperwork that I need to catch up on, or some other chore that I just did not get finished during the week. But if I take Sunday as a day of rest I always feel much better on a Monday. So I am going to keep trying not to work on Sunday because it is what God wants us to do and I eventually hope to conquer this and never work on Sunday again, except I must put the garbage out, because that is when they pick it up and I guess God can understand that. With 6 cats you must put the garbage out !!
I also did like the list on pages 38 + 39 of all our inheritance. I feel so lucky to have gotten saved at the age of 43. My life was really a mess. I am so glad that God wants me in heaven and wants to give me so many blessings even though I deserve none of them. But the amazing part for me is that I already have recieved so many blessings just by getting saved. I have peace and contentment, joy and happiness, and a good life with God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit helping me each and every day. Heaven is going to be just awesome. Amen
God bless you all this last week of September.
Just imagine the impact believers would have on the world if we did everything for the Glory of God knowing He is beside us watching us and helping us.
page 33 - I am so glad God knows my heart better than I do. I continually condemn myself. I know I desire passion and Him. I have a long way to go, but he is patient with me and if I ask anything according to HIS will He hears me. So here goes "Lord give me incredible passion to serve and love you, may you be glorified, help me in my weakness, I give you all I have and all I am. In your precious name I pray, Amen."
page 34 - I feel at times I am a people pleaser, I want to be a God pleaser, only God can work this in me.
I am keeping up with the reading, just late in my comments. (Went on a vacation to San Francisco, didn't email before I left.) So, chapter 4, loved the football story of how John Wong was motivated to beg for a spot on the team, then play the game of his life, all to please his late father (who he believed was watching from heaven). What a reminder that our whole life should be lived the same way, to please Almighty God who is ever watching us.
Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen