HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?
On September, 4, 2006, the world lost a very special person – Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter. He died in a freak accident with a stingray. I was saddened to hear the news that Steve was gone. He was such a likeable guy with a zest for life and a humble, unassuming fearlessness that drew people to him like a magnet.
One time in an interview, Steve Irwin was asked how he would like the world to remember him. His answer was classic. Irwin said, “I want the world to remember me for two things: passion and enthusiasm.” That is how I will always remember him, a guy full of passion and enthusiasm… along with a touch of insanity as he wrestled crocs and handled poisonous snakes … CRIKEY!
NO SUBSTITUTE
Passion and enthusiasm ought to be the mettle of every true Christian. We should be so extremely passionate and enthusiastic about Jesus Christ and what He did for us on the cross that, like Steve Irwin, we leave no doubt as to what we are excited about in life.
Interestingly, the word “enthusiasm” has God in the middle of it (Theos). Enthusiasm is literally “enGODiasm.” When you really understand that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, how can you not get excited? How can you not overflow with enthusiasm?
When George Foreman was making his boxing comeback some years ago, he told one interviewer that he was approaching his comeback career like a fire truck, not a water truck. When asked to explain, Foreman responded, “On the road, no one notices an Ozarka water truck, but they surely notice a red fire truck speeding to its destination with the siren blaring. That gets people’s attention. That is what I am going to be in my comeback, a fire truck.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Wouldn’t you LOVE to be known as a “fire truck” for Jesus Christ… as someone passionately in love with, on fire and FULL of excitement for the Lord? Is it possible? Yes! Even for someone who is not very outgoing? Yes!!
Fill your mind and heart each day with His great mercy and love for you. Remember, “We love because He FIRST loved us” (1 John 4:19). The way to kindle a white hot passion and overflowing excitement for Jesus is “to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:18-19).
Listen, if Steve Irwin could get all excited about a crocodile, and George Foreman could get all excited about a boxing comeback, how much more can you and I get all excited about the King of kings and Lord of lords who loves us, died and rose again for us, has all authority and power in every situation in our lives, is working all things together for our good, will never leave us or forsake us, and is coming again to take us home to glory!! No wonder the Bible tells us to “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth” (Psalm 100:1). We definitely have MUCH to shout about!! Why not start today?
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve
From His Heart Ministries
P.S. If you would like FHH and people around the world to join you in prayer, leave your prayer request on our PrayerWorks page.
Jeff Schreve is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. He and his wife Debbie have been married for over 20 years and are blessed with three wonderful girls. Jeff began From His Heart Ministries, a radio and television ministry, in January of 2005. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no salary from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.
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