The other day I heard a very powerful talk on passion as the driving force in our lives. The speaker said, “what captures your heart ignites your passion” and your passion is what drives everything you do. He had some great examples of this – football, clothes shopping, food, art – different things which people get very excited about – more than that – which people are literally captivated by, spellbound in joy and adoration. Then he wheeled out onto the stage the real showstopper.
He said, “Just look at this. Look at the lines. 1800 cc. 240 km/h. This would cost you the same as 6 Toyota Vitz. This is not just a mode of transport. Just look at it! Who wants to try it out?” And we all leaned forward, stared wide-eyed in awe, mouths salivating, hearts beating quicker.
And I thought later – that’s exactly how our hearts are captured isn’t it. We see, we hear, we stare, we’re bowled over, we fall in love.
So, preachers, how do we inflame a life-transforming passion for Christ? Not by telling people, “You should be more passionate about Christ.” You inflame a passion for Christ by showing people Christ. Displaying Christ crucified before people’s (inner) eyes (Galatians 3:1) and saying, “Just look at Him. Look at what he does. Look at his humility and majesty. Let me tell you how valuable he is. He is not a means to an end. He is the Bridegroom, the Cornerstone, the Lion and the Lamb. Just look at him! Who wants him?”
what did C.S.Lewis say? don’t tell me, show me. Don’t tell me that somebody is happy, show me their happiness. or something like that.
That’s really interesting Mike. Do you know what essay or book of Lewis’ that’s from? I’d love to follow it up. The short story writer Anton Chekhov gave similar, much-quoted, advice: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”