A PASSIONATE PERSON

PASSIONA passionate person steps outside their comfort zone and relies on God to help him/her make a difference in the world.

Mt 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” Mt 3:4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. Mt 3:5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Mt 3:6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Mathew 3:1-6

Many biblical characters come to mind when I think about passion. One of the most passionate people in the Bible was John the Baptist. Obedient to God, John the Baptist preached the gospel. His platform was not an air-conditioned room, but a harsh desert. He preached the message of the coming Christ during the heat of the day. He wore simple clothes and had a desert-based diet; John the Baptist forewent a life of comfort to do the will of God. Many people went to the desert to hear his preaching, and repented and turned to God. I wondered how many of us would be willing to serve like John the Baptist. How long would be able to endure such a situation? I believe God placed John the Baptist in the Bible to inspire us to move out of our comfort zones. I do not think John the Baptist was able to live and serve in the desert by his own strength. God gave John the Baptist the grace and power to survive and preach in such harsh conditions. John the Baptism was relying on God in the desert for his provision, such as locusts and wild honey.

What if we decided to get out of our comfort zones and rely on God like John the Baptist? What if we learn to trust in God more for our provision? What if we give our lives fully to serve God and try to make a difference in our world? I believe we could make a huge impact in our world. God used one man in the desert to impact many people in his generation. God can use you and me to make a great impact in our society.

If we are to obey Jesus’ Great Commission and preach the gospel to the ends of the earth, we may need to be willing to forgo our comfort zones like John the Baptist.