You don't have to spend much time with people to begin to understand what they are passionate about in life. If they love it they will probably talk about it quickly. Think about that in your own life right now. Think about that thing that you love and talk about all the time. Ok if you won't be honest with yourself think about things that others are passionate about in Seattle.

Take the Seahawks for example; people in the Seattle go crazy don't they? Next time you watch the game the camera will flash throughout the crowd and you will see people painted to the max with that green and blue all over their bodies, decked out in a Hasselback jersey, Seahawk beanie or hat and screaming their stinking lungs out "SEA...HAWKS, clap clap SEA...HAWKS, clap clap SEA HAWKS!!!" I mean they are passionate. If you’re not a big NFL fan insert WSU or UW gear and chants. Same thing.

Another thing we are passionate about in the Northwest is our drinks. First their is the battle of corporate coffees(Starbucks) vs mom and pop shops, ooohh their is passion on both sides. Then there is the passionate battle of drip vs fufu. Or how about the passion over wine in this region or maybe the microbrew battles we see daily in the streets and dining establishments. When it comes to our drinks we have some serious passion. Not only that, we are so passionate about these things we will contend and defend them and go toe to toe with a total stranger. We are a passionate people when we find something we really believe in whole heartedly.

John Wesley an 18th century theologian/preacher said these words, “When you set yourself on fire, people will come and see you burn.” It doesn't necessarily mean they will take on the same beliefs or passion you have but they will come and watch. So when it comes to being a follower of Jesus, are you passionate about it? Do people watch you and do they hear that passion in your voice and heart when you speak about your King? Listen to some of the people in scripture and hear their passionate words:

Paul, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..."

David to Goliath, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head." (Wow! Big words for a little kid.)

Jahaziel to all of Judah right before they went into battle, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.'"

John the Baptist to some of his followers who needed to know John was here for Jesus, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

These aren't just bold words; these are words of passion that flow from their hearts. Hearts that are in tune with what Jesus wants, not what itching ears want to hear. We must declare with passion who Jesus is and what He accomplished on the cross. And we must realize that not only will we burn but we will get burned too. Just recently I connected with a person who used to attend Journey church. I asked what it was that caused them to begin to pull away. They said too intense. I have to be honest I took that as a compliment (at first it burned because I want everyone to like our church and love our Jesus but not everyone will follow Jesus). I know this person and they are passionate about many things in their life but Jesus is not one of them. They attended for over a year and never moved beyond sitting in a chair in an aisle and that is it. So when you continually come to a place that is going to be passionate about one thing and your heart is not there you will remove yourself from that arena.

So where are you? Passionate or idle? Moving with Jesus or further away from Him? My advice to you is stop and pray. In your prayers repent of your desire to be passionate about you. And then begin to feed the fire once again of passionately making Jesus Lord of your life. Feed the Fire!