What makes your heart burn?

Have you ever thought about what you are passionate about?  Not what you like or what you enjoy.  No, the thing or things that make your heart burn and come alive.  What is it that makes getting out of bed every day worth it?

As a young girl (before I knew Jesus) He was creating a love for the "least of these" within me.  As I grew the compassion within me grew.  It grew but was not often nurtured and cultivated.  As a young person it was not cool to hang out with the outcast at school.  I was discouraged from talking to the homeless person as I walked around downtown.  Saving my money to give away was not as responsible as saving it to spend on myself.  As I grew up my love for the "least of these" grew but my passion grew into frustration.  

When you are passionate about things or people who offend or scare others it is likely you will be discouraged more than ever encouraged.  Or at least that has been my experience.

I have always been a little, um let's say weird.  I say that with a smile on my face!  There have been many labels put on me over the years - some good and some not so good.  I guess a young woman who loves being counter-culture you tend to ruffle a few feathers.

But my love for the unlovable is not something I decided on.  Oh believe me, I did not choose to love the unlovable.  In fact, on my own I totally fail at loving anyone!  It is only because Jesus is within me and I have asked that He give me His heart that I can even look at people with love in my heart for them.

What I am discovering is that passion is intense.  It is consuming.  Passion is what keeps you up at night, gets you out of bed in the morning and what sustains you throughout the day.  Passion is also something that can be heavy and mangle your heart.  But when you ask Jesus to give you His heart... He will give it to you!

As I look back over my life I see the signs of passions developing within my heart.  I can see different times in my life with compassion was birthed in my heart.  I can also pinpoint different times over the years when my passions where discouraged and even frowned upon.  Passion causes tension.    

In my life and I believe maybe even in your life there have been well meaning people who have tried to steer you in a different direction or path in life.  The reason?  Because what your heart burned for made them uncomfortable or they were concerned about your safety/well being - not because they don't love you.  I have found this very true in my life.

Having a passion to minister to orphans in Africa, serve in places of great poverty, tell prostitutes about Jesus' love for them, help widows... these things make people uncomfortable.  For me - they make me feel alive! 

However, in none of this I do not boast.  I know that apart from Jesus I can do nothing.  Especially the things that make my heart burn.  Without the compassion and strength of Jesus I cannot even say hello to a filthy child or withstand the smell that comes with poverty or go near a diseased prostituted woman or serve a lonely widow.  I am not able to do any of these things if Jesus doesn't help me.

Pride is an ugly thing.  It is such a barrier.  But humility - opens the flood gates of heaven.

What makes you burn?  What makes you ecstatic?  What makes your heart so heavy that you cannot stop the tears?  What are you passionate about?  WHAT has Jesus put in your heart to do something about?

Whatever it is... a People Group, a Country, a Cause, a Disease, an Injustice, an Activity... Pursue it with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding or strength, pray like you have never prayed, beseech the Father, and go for it!  Run the race.  Love others for eternity not just today or tomorrow.  Live your life filled with passion so that each and every day that God gives you here on earth HE is glorified, honored and praised through you! 

When you are filled with the love of Jesus no one and nothing can hold you back.  When Jesus gives you His heart for His people receive it as a gift - He is counting you worthy of tending to His sheep!  What an honor to be His hands and feet.  What an honor.