Pause

Identifying your passion is a matter of figuring out what drives you, what pulls you, what captures your imagination. It's almost as though you can't help but give it your attention.

God has a passion for the renewal of life and the reconciliation of all God has made. When a person gets close to the fire of that which drives God, it can set that person aflame.

Be careful now as you spend these next moments with God. It is altogether possible that you will feel a holy heat.

Listen

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

1 Corinthians 1:18-19

Think

There’s one in every crowd, every school, every workplace. A person who, by the way he or she behaves or talks, makes everyone roll their eyes.

Jesus was one of those people. “What a fool,” folks said under their breath as he walked by. You can understand why!
“Love your enemies.” Yeah, right.
“Let go of your grip on your money, your family, your friends, your reputation, and follow only me.” Sure.
“The least are the greatest…the losers are the winners…the poor are the rich.” Oh brother, where’s the padded room?

God’s wisdom turns completely upside down everything we thought we knew about the world. This means that if you’re actually following Jesus, sooner or later someone is going to call you nuts. And wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Julie Pennington-Russell

Pray

God, if my fear of looking foolish is causing me to miss out on something special that you want to give, either to me or through me — then please give me your courage. Thank you for your love and grace. Amen.

Go

Therefore,
Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
Let us give thanks,
By which we offer to God an acceptable worship
With reverence and awe;
For indeed our God is
A consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:28-29