Friday, September 4, 2009

Engage:Part Four

Jesus wants us to have an abundant life. An exceptional life, or as Eugene Peterson translates John 10:10 in The Message: “A life that you could never dream of.” A passionate life. Can you honestly say right now that your life is “passionate?” Jesus is not interested in how religious we are. Jesus wants us to live life passionately wherever we find life. He wants you to be a passionate father, husband, and friend. He wants you to be a passionate mother, wife, and friend. He wants you to be a passionate teenager. A passionate child.

A passionate life is not a life of comfort. It is not dependent on outside circumstances to make us happy. It is not obtained quickly. A passionate life is a life abundant in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. It is a Christ-centered life. It is a life with purpose. It is more than existing. It is engaging.

An engaging life truly exists for others. It gives up luxury so that others may have necessity. The engaging life rejects the lone-ranger mentality and lives in a sacrificial and compassionate community. Those engaged in the life of Jesus view money as a resource of God’s kingdom and not as an object to be consumed. They are people that trusts the Spirit and takes risks for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Engaged in a passionate life is the abundant life.

1 comment:

Daniel said...

Boss,
For those of us who want to be engaged in the life and mission of Jesus Christ could you please write Part 5 Extravigant Generosity. I think there are many of us who want to be fully engaged.