Popcorn and Passion

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:11

I love Popcorn!!! I love the smell of freshly popped pop corn. It is on the top of the list of my all time favorite nighttime, curl up on the couch while watching a movie, snacks. The aroma is heavenly!!!

Oh, and did I say accompanied by an ice cold Diet Coke? (But I digress)

Here's the thing with pop corn: Pop corn is only good if it is freshly popped. If it's cold or stale, I would rather pass on it. What makes popcorn so good when freshly popped is that it cooks from the inside out. The inside of the kernel has to heat up, causing the water inside it to boil. It will expand and ultimately cause the kernel to explode which is what produces the yummy, fluffy, tender goodness we know and love.

However, if popcorn sits out too long, the air and the outside elements get to it and make it stale or soggy. Once it is stale or soggy there is no way to make it fresh again. You simply just need to pop up a fresh batch heating it from the inside out.

Thats when you have a decision to make. Do you do what it takes to get a fresh batch, or do you settle for the cold, soggy stuff?

Have you ever been so passionate about something that you thought you were going to burst? Passion is that thing that makes your heart race, makes you lose track of time, and you can't imagine your life without it. For some of you it has thrust you into the very thing you are doing for a living. For others, you have used this passion to serve others, perhaps within your church family, or your own family, or in your community.

Perhaps your passion for music has been used to lead others in worship. Or, maybe your passion for cooking has been used to show hospitality to those who need friendship or to serve at a ministry for those who are hungry. I have known people with a passion for sports who have used that avenue to coach children and share the gospel with those they coach and their families.

My passion is studying and teaching the Bible. When I sit down to prepare a lesson to teach, I lose all track of time. I love to search deeper into a topic, or a scripture passage. Before I know it a couple of hours have passed. I am thankful that God has given me a platform by which to share my passion when I teach a conference or lead a Bible study.

What is your passion? What makes your heart race, or lose tack of time?

What ever it is, God has placed it deep inside you for a reason. As we grow and develop, the passion inside of us heats up and explodes (like the kernel of popcorn) and puts us on a path to doing the very thing He has purposed for us to do. It may not be your vocation, but He has definitely used your passion for His purpose.

Priscilla Shirer in her book Fervent says , "Passion is the fuel in the engine of your purpose."

(It keeps you going. It gets you out of bed every morning.)

It is your UMPH…Your Want to!!!

The things we feel passionate about are a gift from God. It is not there for no reason. It has been given to us by God for a purpose: to serve Him.

But, just like popcorn that has been left uncovered and exposed to outside elements loses its freshness and aroma, so can our passions. Sometimes life just happens and our passions go on the back burner, or up on a shelf for a time. And, before you know it, you find yourself thinking less and less about it. You're not only thinking less about it, but other things have crept into your life that have left you feeling a bit "stale" and have caused you to think that perhaps the passion is gone!!!

Did you know that our enemy, Satan, would like nothing better than for you to continue feeling that way?

The Bible says that he is the Father of Lies!" He would like nothing more than for you to believe that passion is gone and you should give up and quit. (Especially if that passion is one that would be used to further God's kingdom)

Here's the good news: It's still there!!!!

Romans 12:11 says: "Do not be slothful in zeal, be "fervent in spirit", serve the Lord."

Did you know that the word “fervent” as used in this verse means to boil? The passion in you may be dormant, but it can be renewed. You just need to apply a little heat to it. Just like the popcorn kernel, it starts on the inside.

The passion I have for teaching the Word of God only grows stronger when I am walking with him and reading His Word. The more I read the Bible, the stronger my zeal. Why? John 1:1 says it best....."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

When you read the Word of God you are encountering God Himself. And if you continue in that same chapter you see that... 'The Word became flesh and dwelt among us". That's Jesus, my friend!! How can you NOT be passionate when you encounter the God of the universe himself!!!

So, what do you do if you feel your passion dwindling or gone?

1. READ. Open the Bible and read. (If you don't know know where to begin, just start with the Book of John.) Are you even opening your Bible these days? Do you even know where it is?

2. PRAY. Ask God to renew your passion and help you take it off the back burner or top shelf. See if that fervent passion and zeal you once had doesn't boil up and work on you from the inside out. When is the last time you talked to God?

3. ACT. Allow that fervor to build up until you change from the inside out, causing you to return to that very thing for which your passion was placed inside you. Are you even concerned about using your passions and gifts for Him? How and where will you serve Him?

Allowing your passions to lead you to serve God will produce a pleasing aroma not only to God, but to all those you come in contact with. They will know you have been in HIs presence.