Psalm 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Passion will look different for everybody. Passion will look different in different seasons in life. I use to think that the only way to show real passion is through ministry .... how busy I am, how many people I've shared the gospel with, going on missions trip, etc. And yes, it is! I'm definitely, with no question, for all these things.
Moms, we've all been there. We all have had amazing adventures with our Heavenly Father. We loved showing our passion and devotion to Him by being bold and obedient to whatever it is He's called us to do.
But now, as moms, have you felt different? Is passion harder to express lately? Is having "no passion" something the enemy uses to have you walk in constant guilt and shame?
It is for me. I always compare myself to how I was before I had kids. I had more energy, more vision, more dreams and more PASSION. If you've read my "Motherhood or Ministry.... Do I really have to choose?" blog, you'll read the many different ways I showed passion for Jesus. But, lately I've been struggling with not feeling passionate enough.
Yesterday, God in his loving gracious way, spoke to me about a different type of passion. Passion is not something we always feel. We all feel passionate for Jesus after a great service, an awesome conference or after a moving worship concert. But what if the next conference is not until next year? What if the concert is cancelled? What if the church service last Sunday didn't really "connect" with you? What then? Is it really possible to still show passion and devotion to Him daily? Is it really possible to show Him devotion even when we are in a dry season? Is it really possible to show Him passion even as a full time stay at home mom with no other audience except for a toddler?
He showed me there is!! Here's what He showed me.....
An Audience of One - Most of the time, I like my passion to be seen by others. I want my passion validated by people's praise and encouragements. Being passionate for Him means doing my best even when no one else is looking and clapping but Him. Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
Choose to be passionate - Passion should not only be based on feelings and experiences. Passion is a CHOICE we have to make daily. Being passionate for Him could be as simple as saying, "Jesus, I choose you" first thing in the morning. I've always felt bad for myself for not being "passionate" enough during this season of motherhood. But for the past couple days, God has given me the strength to choose Him everyday no matter how I feel. Psalm 63:1 was David's psalm in the wilderness. He showed his passion by simply showing his great need of Him more than anything in the world. "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." Passion is us in desperate need of HIM not only in great times but also in the wilderness.
Passion is also being obedient in the little things - Being obedient in the big things and the small things are all the same in His eyes. It's obedience. So whether He is calling us to preach in front of hundreds or He is simply asking us clean the church's kitchen, to Him it's the same, to Him it's obedience. Being obedient in the big things and not being obedient in the small things are contradicting way to live passionately. Being passionate means being excited to partner with Him no matter what it is. 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Passion for Him means worship - Being passionate for Him means giving Him praise. Passion means choosing to worship Him no matter what we feel. He loves it when we sing to Him. It helps us stop and refocus our eyes on Him. The beauty of worship is that it doesn't matter whether you can sing or not, He loves it either way. Being passionate for Him is us giving back the glory due His name. Psalm 100:1-2 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
How can you show your passion and devotion to Him today?