Michael Jordan, Tim Tebow, Pete Rose, Eric Liddell, and Wayne Gretzky—what do they all have in common?
Apart from being outstanding athletes in their respective sports, each was known for incredible passion.
Teammates of Michael Jordan often noted that he hated losing even more than he loved winning. Jordan lived by a motto he frequently expressed: “Failure is acceptable. But not trying is a whole different ball game.”
Pete Rose—despite his later mistakes—earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle” because of his relentless effort. He advised, “Practice the game the way you’re going to play the game. Practice hard and play hard. Run hard and, above all else, hustle every moment you’re on the field.”
Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One,” never lost his love for hockey. Looking back on his career, he said, “I can remember hockey. It was my life, my passion. It’s what I love the most.”
Tim Tebow has often reminded athletes that “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
And Olympic champion Eric Liddell, whose faith was as famous as his speed, declared, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”
Great athletes are rarely distinguished by talent alone. They are driven by passion—a deep desire that compels them to give their very best.
To become spiritual champions, we must develop that same kind of passion for the Lord.
Few people illustrate this better than the apostle Paul. His expressions—“I press on,” “I reach forward,” “I discipline my body,” “my heart’s desire,” and “I have fought the good fight”—paint the picture of a man consumed with a spiritual purpose.
Paul’s opening words to the Christians in Rome reveal the depth of his commitment to Christ, the gospel, the lost, and his brethren.
“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:14-16).
This concludes our VBS series at Wellandport on Developing the Heart of a Spiritual Champion. As we close, let’s consider why Champions Play with Heart.
One of the greatest threats to spiritual success is allowing our passion to fade. That can happen in several ways.
Sometimes we develop unscriptural attitudes about our relationship with God. It’s possible to know about God without truly knowing Him. The sons of Eli certainly knew the rituals of worship, but they did not know the Lord in a meaningful way (1 Samuel 2:12). We can also become so busy with religious activity that we substitute routine for genuine devotion.
Passion is also weakened by unconfessed sin. David understood this painful reality. His sin robbed him of joy, confidence, and spiritual vitality until he sought God’s forgiveness (Psalms 38; 51). Sin always drains our zeal for serving the Lord.
An undisciplined lifestyle can also extinguish spiritual passion. We waste time instead of redeeming it (Ephesians 5:17), hide our God-given talents instead of using them (Matthew 25:14-30), and hoard our treasures instead of investing them in God’s kingdom (Luke 12:13-21). Spiritual champions recognize that discipline fuels passion rather than restricting it.
Our zeal also suffers when our spirits are undernourished. Daily prayer, regular Bible study, and faithful worship are not burdens to endure but blessings that keep our hearts focused on God.
Finally, unresolved conflict can quietly smother spiritual enthusiasm. Scripture calls us to honesty, reconciliation, and peace with one another (Ephesians 4:25; Matthew 18:15-18). It’s difficult to enjoy close fellowship with God while refusing to be right with our fellow man.
The good news is that spiritual passion can be renewed.
Heartfelt worship reminds us who God is and fills us with joy. As David declared, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1).
Christian fellowship encourages us to “stimulate love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Isolation weakens us, but faithful brothers and sisters strengthen our resolve.
Continued discipleship provides the foundation for spiritual growth. Peter urged believers to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Passion flourishes when we continue growing.
Serving others through our God-given abilities gives purpose to our faith. Romans 12 reminds us that every Christian has a role in the body of Christ, and using our gifts strengthens both the church and our own spiritual lives.
Finally, sharing the gospel renews our sense of purpose. Few experiences stir the heart more deeply than helping someone come to know Christ. Evangelism reminds us why we serve and keeps our focus on eternal things.
Passion is the heartbeat of spiritual zeal. Without it, Christianity becomes routine, worship becomes mechanical, and service becomes little more than duty.
Our passion for God—or our lack of it—shapes our attitudes, influences our actions, and ultimately determines the kind of people we become.
So, what are you passionate about? Why?
Then ponder Leonard Ravenhill’s penetrating question: “Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?”
The answer to that question may reveal where your true passion lies.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 