Passionate people are not bystanders

Just finished reading David Jeremiah's book, Life Wide Open. I long to be a passionate person. Correct that: I am a woman of passion for her God, and I will follow every opportunity for Him, I will enter every door He opens.

Scripture that came to mind during my prayer time is:
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

1. We are not alone - we have a cloud of witnesses surrounding us!
2. Sin does easily entangle us, and we are all beset by encumbrances.
3. We are not helpless - we are to lay aside the encumbrances and the sins which entangles us. Laying aside encumbrances gives us a concrete vision of our role in achieving the freedom Jesus desires for us. Laying aside requires identifying the encumbrances, and the sins which entangle us. Can you see it? Sin entangles us like ropes wrapped around our arms and legs. Have you ever been caught in a tangled web of rope? Seaweed? Spider web? Sin entangles us much the same - but we CAN remove it from our persons. It takes work, it takes diligence, it takes intentionality. But with Christ we can find freedom.
4. When we believe the promises of Jesus, when we look back at the evidence and understand - and borrow - the faith of the "great cloud of witnesses" who surround us, we can run with endurance the race set before us.

5. There is a race to run - Christ wants us to finish strong, having run with endurance.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!