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Creating Passion
Exodus 36:2
"And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:"
One of the most important ingredients for anyone to excel in any area is passion. It seems as if one of the missing ingredients in Christianity today is passion. When you go to the average church, you see leadership and people simply going through the motions to do what they "have to" get done. Without passion, whatever you do with flounder.
In the verse above, you see two men who had a passion about what they were doing for God. Not only do you see that these men had passion, but you also learn how they got their passion. Their passion caused God to use them in a greater way than He used anyone else with their talent and knowledge. Let me show you what it takes to create passion by learning from these two men.
First, it takes wisdom. Notice that it says in the verse above, "...in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom..." These men weren't blindly doing their work, but God knew the importance of them having the wisdom to do His work. People will never get passion if they don't have the wisdom to know what to do. It is important that we teach and train people what to do in the Christian life. Without a knowledge of what to do, you will create is frustration. When teaching people what to do, make it clear so there is no misunderstanding.
Second, it takes a know how. The Scriptures say in verse 1, "...in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary,..." Notice that God gave them wisdom first, and then He gave them the know how. In other words, God not only told them what to do, but He also told them why they were to do it. People need to know why they are to do certain things. Without the knowledge of why being answered, then you will create a people who will quit when difficulties come. People need to know the why as much as they need to know the what. Be sure to ground people in doctrine, but tell them why they must do it.
Third, in verse 1, you notice that God gave them understanding as well. This is application. In other words, once a person knows what to do, and why to do it, then they need to know how to apply what to do in every area. Application is important to creating passion. When someone knows how to apply the what of Christianity to their life, then that is when excitement begins to stir in their heart. The reason being is because purpose for their life becomes reality.
Last, passion is a result of wisdom, know how and application. Once these two men had these three elements, then their hearts were stirred. You will not create passion in people until you accomplish all three of these areas in their life. Once passion comes, then you will see people who become unstoppable in the LORD's work.
Do you have a lack of passion, or do you see a lack of passion in those whom you lead? Then be sure to get the wisdom and know how, then apply these to life, and you will find passion will be the result. Oh how we need some people who are passionate about the LORD's work. Be sure in every thing you do for Christ that you do what it takes to create passion, so that not only we, but also everyone who follows us, will have a passion for Christ.