A Lost Passion?

I watched with some interest last week as the sport world obsessed over LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and agreeing to a multi-million dollar deal to play NBA basketball for the Miami Heat. It was THE topic of conversation for days - before and after his televised decision – not only on dedicated sports stations like ESPN, but on nearly every network radio and television station, as well.

The fan reaction in Cleveland was also interesting…covering the whole range of shock, dismay, anger, and betrayal. "Where will LeBron go" speculation that had spanned months seemed to dissolve instantly into negativity and vitriol. "This is the worst day of my life," said John, who watched in frozen horror with hundreds of others at a local bar. As patrons exited another Cleveland restaurant, they yelled things such as "Goodbye, LeBron" and "You're no king!" "This is real hurtful," another said. "The king should never leave his throne, when you do, that means you are dethroned. He turned his back on us." LeBron James' decision was a "slap in the face to every citizen" in the city.
All the drama left me wondering what our world would be like if Christ-followers showed as much passion for sharing the life-changing message of the “King of Kings.” It is true that most worthwhile things in life are the result of passion. Significant events in human history are the result of people's deep and consuming desires to see goals fulfilled. As Christ-followers our consuming desire should be to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ reach those who are not yet believers. However, we live in an age that tends to dull our sharpness. Our culture obscures the Christian message and would rob our faith of its power if given the chance. Indeed, some Christians just don't understand people who have a passionate concern about spiritual things, because spiritual passion is not the norm. The norm is not to let Christianity disrupt your lifestyle. And as a result, the spiritual temperature of many Christ-followers has dropped and we have become apathetic. I’d rather ask questions like: Where is our burden for those who don’t yet know Christ? Why isn't a passion for the lost the church's central function? Is the church only a self-indulgent activity center, content with comfort and prosperity? Or are we actively carrying out Jesus’ mission to “seek and to save those who are lost?”
Courageous men and women of God have dotted the landscape of church history. Their power came from a passion for holiness and reaching the lost. One example is the early Methodist preacher, George Whitefield. Ordained at age twenty-two, he began preaching with tremendous eloquence and effect. John Newton viewed him as the greatest preacher of his day. His power came from his passion for souls, and he used every God-given ability to lead people to Christ. He once wrote that if his life was in danger of nestling down, God--out of pity--should place a thorn into his nest! He crossed the Atlantic thirteen times and preached thousands of sermons. His gravestone reads that he was a soldier of the cross, humble, devout, and ardent, preferring the honor of Christ to his own interest, reputation, or life.
We are the channel through which God has chosen to communicate His love and saving power to the world. Do we have a passion to reach those who are lost? Or have we lost our passion?