What are you passionate or enthusiastic about? I'm pretty enthusiastic about a number of things--music, golf, flower gardening, dachshunds and, of course, my sweet husband. That's all good and fine, but first and foremost, God wants us to be passionate for Him and demonstrate that in the way we live out our lives. Titus 2:14 says Christ "gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
So what does being passionate for Christ and zealous for good works mean to you? How does it play out practically in your life? Tami W.
Being passionate for Christ and zealous for good works means being thoroughly excited about doing what is right and good by God's standards, not our own. It means doing good with all the energy in our being, not in order get something in return, but simply because we are expressing Jesus' love, which we should be absolutely thrilled to do!
Day to day I try to live so others want what I have. I strive to be a good example for my kids and those around me--having a giving heart, serving others, and maintaining self-control when others have gone off the deep end. In a world where so many are striving to find "what's in it for me?" I search for what I can do for someone else to make their day better. I ask myself, "How can I serve?" It doesn't have to be big things, either. It's a caring phone call, an inspirational card, an unexpected favor. While "submission" can be off-putting to some we have to remember that it was Jesus who washed the disciples feet!
Verse 8 (Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.) speaks volumes. Integrity. Dignity. Sound speech. In other words, don't put any tools in Satan's tool box.
When reading Titus 2, especially verses 2-5, I am always struck by the focus on marriage and family life for women. I am 50 years old and single, never married, no children. I cannot be a role model to younger women regarding submission to a husband or raising children in Christ. I cannot be a younger woman demonstrating teaching my children about Christ, and finding a mentor who is married and can teach me about proper wifely living is irrelevant. So where do I, as an older, unmarried woman, fit in the church family?
Performing music (drums/percussion), kids (3 and 5) are at a fun age, wife, and learning more about God! Lately, I find myself kicking myself for not having enough time to devote to reading and prayer.
When I use Robert Lewis' analogy of the Paradox Principle, "die to live," I know that while I am sacrificing "me" in the "now" that there will be eternal treasures. I love how God is conditioning my mind as I continue to sacrifice "me" that I become less aware of my efforts and my actions and behavior become more of God's effort working through me.
I write in my journal in different seasons and can look back at some of the challenges I had to place great effort to overcome where I find them "automatic" now. Praise God! Loving my wife, kids, and neighbors is not as much a task it once was to make conscience efforts. Am I where I need to be? No, definitely not! Becoming complacent leads back to where I once struggled on the front line and conditions my heart in deceit.
For several years I was frustrated because I couldn't get involved in church activities. It wasn't because I didn't want to but because of my schedule. I commute 60 miles (round trip) to work. That makes it hard to be involved in church, except for Sunday. I finally found a Christian website I can be involved with and answer questions to help others. It also uses my passion for writing. It is very satisfying to finally be involved in a Christian ministry again. Through this website ministry over 8,000 people made a decision for Christ last month. That is so cool!!
Carol
Dear Kim,
I'm in exactly the same position. However, I choose to think about my nieces and nephews. I want to be a good example for them, and other members of my family. Also, there many other areas of life where we can be good examples. We can still be examples of God's love and kindness to others in or out of the church body. We can take time to give prayerful support to others. We can be good listeners. God knows what He's doing with our lives. He know exactly what we need and when we need it. Remember Paul said he wished people could remain single in order to have more time to work for God. (1 Corinthians 7:7,8). When I do have the opportunity to attend a church function (outside of regular church service on Sunday) I enjoy being with a mixture of couples and singles. Well, I hope this has been helpful and encouraging.
Carol
Hi Tami,
In thinking about the questions you asked. First I am passionate about Serving The Lord Jesus, My Wife, our Children, and what I call “shaping my yard “. This includes many outside projects. Like Landscaping, Digging ditches for water line extensions, Planting Trees, Shrubs, and lots of flowers for my wife, any kind of building project that takes me outside. Over the weekend after 3” of rain during the week, I was out in the light rain moving grass and dirt from the high places of my front yard to areas in the back yard that needed it. The ground was easy to move, being wet made it soft and pliable. If the ground was dry and hard I wouldn’t be able to move very easy. This Passion to work outside shaping my yard, “go figure” for over 12 hours, why do like it so much? The previous Saturday I spent 10 hours outside before going to church to help at a church picnic for over 2 hours. I have a desire to get the yard in a shape that is pleasing to me, my wife and any one else who partakes of it. While I work outside I listen to the Word of God on my phone which is a I pod also. This includes Back to the Bible Teachings, Teachings from our church, not to mention lots of praise and worship music. I am going to have to get a new battery though, its only lasting 4 hours now.
This desire to shape a yard and build things has always been part of me. It seems that I always have a project going on. I say that so I can say this:
God is working on us to shape us into his desired shape so to speak. Taking away a little here, adding a little there, to get us “shaped up” where we need it. He always has a project going on in and through us.
Are we listening? The Rain of the spirit of God is speaking to us, and If our heart is soft and pliable, we can if we choose to allow him to do a great work in us.
Where I once was, does not hardly resemble where I am today. And where I am today, gives me a glimpse of where I am to go.
Praise God!