Passion

By John McNeal  

How many people do you know who are very passionate about something?  Just look around.  It’s October, and the football season is just getting started.  Hockey season is on the way, while baseball and NASCAR racing are finishing up.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the bend.  As for myself, I have a small passion for hunting this time of year.

In today’s society many people dish out a lot of money and time to enjoy their passion.  They pay big dollars to sit in a crowded cold stadium with people they don’t know, giving them high-fives when their team scores a touchdown.  They buy the biggest televisions that they can’t afford in order to get a better glimpse of the action.  People purchase clothing, big foam hands and cheese hats, letting everyone know what they are passionate about.

Passionate sports fans know the stats of their favorite team and they can quote the roster by heart.  If a person is rooting for a rival team or individual, they might have swift words with someone if they blaspheme the team at hand.  Sometimes people even get physical in order to prove their point.  I always know when it is race season or football season; my neighbor yells passionately for his favorites.

Several years ago, my pastor stood on stage and told a story how he met Faith Hill while traveling back from a Christian conference.  He said that she would be in Atlanta for a day or two and that she was at our church that day to give her testimony.  After he gave her an introduction, he asked us to welcome her to Chestnut Mountain Church.  Over 95% of the Church stood, whistled, clapped and cheered as if she were about to give us a private concert.  The stage door swung open and nobody came through the door.

Pastor Jeff’s point was well taken that day, at least by me.  We stand up, clap, and cheer for our favorite team or celebrity, and we pay all kinds of money to support our passions.  When is the last time you were passionate about going to church?  What about singing the hymns or worshipping with your whole heart?  What about giving money in the name of the One who gave up everything to die for you?  If Jesus is really our passion, why do we cheer harder, clap louder, and spend more money on other pursuits than we do at church?

Pastor Jeff turned to us after he walked up and closed the door.  “Would you have cheered as hard if it was for Jesus?”  Now can you imagine if your pastor did this and was introducing someone of importance, and that person did not come through the door?  Faith Hill wasn’t at our church that day.  But Jesus was there.

‘“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind.’  Matt 22:36-73(NIV)