A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.  Mark 1:40-42 

Being involved with various service projects can be an exciting thing. Yet, often times our involvement becomes just another notation on our “To-Do” list. Serving food at the shelter can become a mundane ritual and helping out with the children’s ministry at the local church can become just another job to do, if we lose our passion for serving.   

Jesus performed miracles and acts of service for countless numbers of needy people. He could have let monotony set in and think of those people as “just another person with just another need.” But Jesus never allowed that to happen. He continually served with passion. 

When you develop a passion for the people around you, it creates a desire in you to make a bigger investment in their life. You begin to personally care whether or not their needs are met. Passion will encourage you to walk in their shoes, go that extra mile and give beyond expectations. Passion will also help you persevere as you stand beside those who are needy, allowing them to lean on your strength. And passion is what allows you to celebrate their victory with a joy that only God can put in your heart.

 

Lord, I know that because I am made in your image I have the ability to be passionate about others. It’s easy to get involved from a distance or to serve without passion. But I want to serve others with the same undying passion as Christ did. In Jesus’ name, Amen.