It is easy to talk about the things we love
It is easy to talk about the things we loveMarch 10, 2005
Last week, on a flight, I was seated next to a gentleman who shared a mutual passion. We had never met before, hadn’t even exchanged names, but as we talked, it was easy to discuss our interests. We spoke about SCUBA diving, lobster hunting and fishing in the Florida Keys.
We exchanged stories of places, events, big catches of fish as well as no catches of fish! In conversations like this one, I look for ways to get into a discussion about Jesus. I have another great passion that I wanted to talk about … Jesus. I could tell he had many things that he wanted to talk about as well.
The week before this encounter, I was speaking to another man about crappie fishing in Missouri lakes, new shotguns and bird hunting. It was easy to listen to him because he was so enthusiastic about the subjects. We could have talked for hours and traded stories. Why is it that in times like this it is so easy to carry on conversations with people? In a word, I would suggest that it is: PASSION.
I love listening to a person who is passionate about his/her occupation, ministry, recreation or family. It seems that I always learn something and am challenged by people who are excited about their passion.
Because I have no musical ability or talent, I doubt I will ever buy a dulcimer. But last year at Silver Dollar City in Branson, a woman almost sold me one. She drew my wife and I into her passion for the dulcimer. In a few minutes, she even had me play a recognizable song! Again, the key here is passion.
Shouldn’t believers find it just as easy to talk about Jesus Christ to friends, neighbors, or acquaintances? Perhaps it is because we have lost our PASSION for Him. Is it possible? One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Philippians 3:10 in the Amplified Version of the New Testament. It reads like this:
“For my determined purpose is that I may know Him—that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly. And that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers; and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness even to His death,”
Do you hear the passion of the Apostle Paul’s heart? Look again at that first sentence … “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him … .” Obviously Paul had a wonderful passion for Jesus Christ. As such, it seems that he talked about Jesus everywhere and to everyone in every city he entered. Aren’t you glad he did?! It was that passion that brought the Gospel to the West (Acts 16:9-10) and ultimately to you and me first rather than the Far East.
Do you find it easy to talk to others about Jesus Christ? Does conversation about Jesus flow easily out of you in the bleachers or stadium? How about in the fishing boat with a lost friend, with a neighbor in your yard or over the fence? I believe it is very easy for any of us to talk about what we are passionate about, enjoy and love. How often do you talk to others about Jesus Christ? It’s a pretty good indicator of the passion you have for Him. …. how are ya doin’?