Psalm 84:5-Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

I remember playing in a baseball or soccer game, and I couldn’t have been older than 10 years old at the time.  But after the game I remember my mom saying to me, “that if you don’t play with heart, I not coming anymore!”  Ever since then, I realized how much I must fight to set my heart into what I’m involved in, or why else do it? (Colossians 3:2)

In the Bible, if you look up the word “passion” it is defined in a “sinful” or flesh-driven manner.  That we can be passionate for something completely wrong.  Consider the apostle Paul in having Christians killed before conversion, he was passionate, but completely wrong and flesh driven!  So we all can relate in some manner to being passionately wrong…(Proverbs 19:2, Acts 9:1, Romans 10:2)

But what you can respect about people who truly believe in what they are doing as “right”, is the desire from the heart to suffer for what they believe in.  I find greater respect for people like that, when we all know some “Christians” have no passion of heart in doing anything for Christ sake…(Hosea 10:12)

Now, as a husband, parent, pastor, etc. I’ve interpreted what my mom was spurring me onto think and live like.  That I need to consider, what might be blocking my interest, in giving my whole heart to what I am presently doing?  She was saying, “that if you are distracted by something else, or have a desire to do something else, you not only cheat me in coming to the game, but cheat your team and yourself… “

I believe this is the exact sentiment the Lord calls on us to have as a believer in Him.  That we must examine our heart, and consider what is blocking it to live passionately for Christ and His purpose?  Of course many things can, but the Bible reminds us to “diligently guard our heart”.  So our affections can be set on the Lord who gives us strength to live, and fulfill His will.  Otherwise we cheat Jesus, and the people in the Body, who need us to strive for the sake of their encouragement, that they live with a heart driven passion for our Lord. (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)

In His Love, Ld