Passion and Zest

     Our home team, the Minnesota Vikings lost a playoff game yesterday. The final field goal, a relatively short one, would have won us the game. The die-hard fans began the pre-game festivities early in the morning on a -10 degree day. Wind chills hovered around -20 degrees. Their zeal and their fervor were not diminished by the bone-chilling temps.

     The anticipation and the excitement of the fans never fails to amaze me. They dress in purple. They paint their faces. They cry at a loss as if their very lives were coming to an end. And the winning games are never lost in conversation and memory.

     If only we shared that type of passion for our Lord. The football fans don’t care how crazy they look. This passion is top priority in their week, in their speech, in their plans, in their parties.

     We don’t need to paint our faces and scream. The world wouldn’t listen. But if our inner passion and zest moved us to serve and love and affected our lives like the sports fans, we would make a difference.

     Is it time to reorganize our priorities? It doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a sporting event. It is just a reminder of what we hold most dear. May our passion and zeal for Jesus never end and may it show in the way we live our lives.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. Romans 12:11

Jesus,

Let our lives show real passion and zeal for You above all else. Our priorities are all mixed up in the world around us. Help us to enjoy our lives, but not at the expense of losing our zeal for You above all else. We pray for each other. Let our lives be zealous for You.

Amen