Ironbridge Church | Pastor’s Corner

Today ends the spectacular fortnight of Olympic competition at the 20th Winter Games in Torino, Italy. The organizing committee for the Torino games chose a very distinctive motto, “Passion lives here!” The motto showcases the unique Italian style–the great passion that Italians put into everything they do.

Win or lose, these athletes from around the world have shown a dedication to achievement that is truly mind-boggling.

If you look up the word “passion” in the dictionary, the first definition is, “a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone.” The word is closely associated with the word “love.” The word is appropriate for followers of Jesus, because our lives should be characterized by a “strong feeling, a constant regard for and dedication to someone—that someone being Christ Himself.

The “Passion lives here” theme color is red. How appropriate. Red reminds us of the Passion of Jesus who endured the cross and split His blood for our redemption.

Closely associated with the Olympic theme is the “piazza”—a meeting place, a backdrop for passion, participation, and commitment. Even the thoroughly secular Olympic movement understands the importance of gathering together under a common theme.

Today is Sunday, the Lord’s Day. Our spiritual “piazza” is the church! Our passion is Jesus! Even though the athletes will soon be packing their bags and leaving Torino, for those of us who love Jesus, we could rightly hang a sign over the entrance of our church that reads, “Passion lives here!”

Do you have the passion?

Today’s Scripture Promise: “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a—English Standard Version)

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 26th, 2006 at 12:00 am and is filed under 77 Days of Prayer and Fasting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.