Spark the Passion
Even though Mike had a wonderful relationship with my Dad, he was very nervous about asking for my hand in marriage. The four of us were in the mountains for the weekend. As we came in from swimming, Mike asked Dad if he could talk to him. Mom and I knew what he was doing, so we laid on the floor peeking out of the bottom blind, trying to hear! We were giggling and so excited and silly!! When they walked in, we ran to the other room like we had no clue what was going on. When I got the ring, my boss took a picture of my hand on the copier and faxed it to my dad so he could drive to the lake and show my mom. This was before cell phones, and we had no phone at the lake. Mom and Dad's friends got together to toast another child getting engaged. Then we had the engagement party. So much excitement and so many people to share the good news with!
As Mike and I celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary, I am reminded of that excitement. Our marriage isn’t always fun and exciting, but thanks be to God, we have made it! Only because we try to put God first in this marriage of three. I saw this quote recently, "A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other." And I think it should read, "A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other because they have God in their marriage." (I am not talking about abusive marriages.)
The more I think of that, the more I think of the excitement we should have to go tell everyone about Jesus and what He has done in our life! If we can feel that excitement and passion for a person, surely we can feel it for God. After all, He loves us more than anyone! Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
In a recent sermon, Pine Valley United Methodist Church’s Pastor Tim shared if Jesus is our first love, we will tell others about it. His mission will become our priority. Our love for Jesus should motivate us to share the Good News! Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The mission is simple. We are to fulfill it. If we are not doing that, then we need to question our love for Him.
When we truly love someone, it will change our priorities. Their priorities become our priorities because of our love. There are a lot of things that Mike and I have to give and take for each other. Mike likes to watch action shows, and I like comedies. After years, we find shows that we both like, and I think we have both changed while giving into the other's ways. Mike likes to go out to breakfast on Saturdays, and I like to lay there and not be rushed. Now, we take our time and go to brunch. It is our love for each other that changes things. I liked the luxury of the pontoon, and he liked a fishing boat, so I begrudgingly gave in to a compromise where we each got what was most important in a boat.
Just as we have to work at keeping the passion in a marriage, we have to work at keeping the spark in our relationship with God. 2 Timothy 1:6, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Pastor Tim said, “We must continually rekindle, stir up, or fan that flame so that we can keep it burning for the good and bad times to come.” How do we rekindle the flame of God’s Spirit in us? We make time for God every day. We can do devotionals, read the Bible, listen, and pray. I have found that when I wake up in the morning before I get out of bed, I have quiet time with God. No TV. No noise. Just He and I. My day goes so much better when I make Him a top priority! Psalm 46:10a, “Be still and know that I am God.” Mark 6:31, “And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest awhile.’ ”
If we truly love Jesus, we should make Him our First Love today. Pray and ask God to make you have that passion for Him again. As Pastor Tim said, ask God to set you on fire and let the world watch you burn! Do you need to spark that passion?
“May the fire of the Holy Spirit in you burn brighter than the fire of the world burning around you.”