zealous

Opening Prayer:  Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you stand and knock at the door of my soul today.  Give me the strength and the grace and the courage to open the door and let you in, so that we may be together and so that the fires of our love can be reignited.  Amen.

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Journal: How would you describe the current state of your heart and soul?  How do you long to describe it?  How do you think Jesus longs to describe it?

Reflection:  Zealous: having fervor (intense heat) for a person, cause, or object.  Jesus tells us to be zealous, to have a passion and a fire for God burning deep within our hearts and souls.  For if we, God’s people, do not have that burning deep within us, then how can we ever expect the world to be ignited by his love?

Unfortunately, we tend to live with a more watered-down version of the life Jesus wants for us.  We settle for far less than the love and the passion and the power Jesus made us for.  We, like the church at Laodicea, allow other things and other people and other responsibilities to occupy all of our inner space and dull our desire for God; much to his chagrin. 

God’s deepest desire is that we would catch fire for him.  That’s why he tells us to “be zealous and repent.”  He is as tired of us living lukewarm lives as we are.  He wants so much more for, and from, us.  And it all starts with hearing his invitation to a deeper life and opening the door.  He will not barge in.  He waits to be invited, again and again and again.  For if we open the door, he will come in.  And each day that we do, the fires of his love will grow in us a little more.  So start today.  Don’t allow everyone and everything else that is knocking on your door to keep you from hearing his call and responding to it.  The life of your soul depends on it. 

Prayer

Closing Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help me to hear your knock today and open the door.  For only then will I be able to live with the passion and zealousness you desire for me.  Amen.