Where Does Your Passion Lie?

As I drove, tears were streaming down my face.  After about 20 hours of our dogs being lost, we had them safe in our van and we were driving back home.  The tears were falling out of gratefulness and relief.  After a day of concern and a sad night of tossing and turning, wondering if they were going to be OK, our pups were back with us - safe and sound.

You see, our pups escaped and were missing since around lunch time yesterday.  We did everything we could think of to find the pups.  The kids drove around the area during the day looking and calling for them.  Last night we went out to the back of our property several times calling and shining bright lights around the field.  We posted on every lost dog sight we knew.  We posted on social media, hoping others would watch for them.  Tim and I drove around late last night calling for them and looking closely as we drove up and down roads.  We left the entry door open so they could get in if they came home in the night.  We even prayed that God would bring them home safe. We did everything in our power to find those pups.  I cried wondering if they were OK and hoped they would not be hurt or killed.   I woke up several times in the night and checked to see if they had come home.  

This morning someone posted that the pups were in her yard.  I didn't even stop to get dressed or brush my hair.  I grabbed my keys, phone, and coat and flew out the door in my fleece pajamas!  We drove as fast as we were allowed straight to the address given.  There they were, tired and stinky, but safe!  I admit, I gave the lady a hug of gratitude and could not hold back the tears of relief.  We thanked the family, jumped in the van, and headed home.

 While driving home, more tears of gratitude came.  It was in that moment God spoke to my heart, asking me a few questions, "Is your heart this broken for the lost?  Where is your passion in finding and reaching them?"  Are you as passionate about reaching the lost as you were about finding your dogs?"

Ouch.  Direct hit to the heart.

Do I desire to win the lost?  Yes.

Do I use opportunities God gives to share His story?  Yes.

Am I passionately doing everything I can to reach as many people as possible, as often as possible, in every way possible?  No!

So, my final answer is that I was more passionate about finding my dogs than I am about reaching those around me who, without Christ, will be living eternity in hell.

Another direct hit to my heart.

When is the last time we dropped everything to share this amazing Gospel with those who need to hear?  When have we dropped to our knees to pray specifically for every person we know that is lost?  When is the last time we have wept over those who do not know Christ, those who are headed to an unimaginable eternity apart from Christ?  When have we gathered a group of believers to form and execute a plan of outreach?  When have you invited that unsaved coworker to join you for lunch? Have you reached out to your unsaved neighbors or invited them into your home?

I am guilty.  I am guilty of not doing all I can.  I am guilty of letting life get in the way of reaching those around me.  I am guilty of not being brokenhearted enough for those headed into eternity without Christ.


Praying today that God will burn a fire and passion in my heart for the lost.  May it be so intense that I can do nothing less than  passionately seek out the lost every single day!   Just a couple weeks ago as I was walking through Walmart, I passed so many types of people.  My heart was heavy.   I could not help but pray, "Lord, show us how to  reach these people for you."   May He show me how to reach those in my world.  Then may I swiftly and passionately  follow His leading.  May He bring people into my path who are seeking Christ.  May I be bold and loving in my conversations.    May God use me to share His truth and lead many to a relationship with Christ.

How about you friend? Where does your passion lie?  Are you purposefully and boldly reaching the lost?  Are you willing to sacrifice for those headed to hell?  If not, what are you going to do about it today?

Show us how to reach them, Lord.  Make our hearts bold.  May nothing stop us from reaching those you place in our life daily.  You gave it all for us.  Nothing we could sacrifice would be even close to what you have done for us!  Help us to have your heart for those who do not yet know you.  Make us courageous.  Help us to push through the hard.  Convict us when we are lazy and focused on the wrong priorities. 

Matthew 9:37-38 “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."

Psalm 105:1  "Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done."

Luke 15:6-7 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'  Just so, I tell you there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."