2011 - The Year of Obsession

More than a month ago I received this Quote of the Day in my email from Runner's World:

The obsession with running is really an obsession with the potential for more and more life.

I love the second part - "potential for more and more life" because Jesus said "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly," but hesitated to post it because of the use of the word "obsession." Obsession has such a negative connotation. I thought I'd look it up in Webster's online dictionary, here is what I found:

a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

Examples include:

1. He was fascinated by the actress and tracking her every move had become an obsession.
2. She has an obsession about cleanliness.
3. Her concern about cleanliness approaches the level of obsession.
4. Money has become an obsession for him.

But tucked in, after all the negative tones, was this:

compelling motivation

Aha! That's what I'm talking about! So let's take those same examples above and make a few changes:

1. He was fascinated by the Bible and reading it daily had become a compelling motivation.
2. She has a compelling motivation about godliness.
3. Her concern about winning the lost approaches the level of compelling motivation.
4. Worship and praise has become a compelling motivation for him.

As we enter 2011, we can choose what we are obsessed with. I know there are many who think going to church more than once a week is obsessive! That's okay! I want to get up every morning with a compelling motivation to live my life to it fullest potential for Him! I want to attend every pre-service prayer meeting with the compelling motivation to make a difference. I want my worship to be obsessive! Will you join me in making 2011 The Year of Obsession?

Thanks to my friend, Jen Lord, for pointing to me to "Magnificent Obsession" by Steven Curtis Chapman:

Lord, You know how much
I want to know so much
In the way of answers and explanations
I have cried and prayed
And still I seem to stay
In the middle of life’s complications
All this pursuing leaves me feeling like I’m chasing down the wind
But now it’s brought me back to You
And I can see again

This is everything I want
This is everything I need
I want this to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You, Jesus
Be my magnificent obsession

So capture my heart again
Take me to depths I’ve never been
Into the riches of Your grace and Your mercy
Return me to the cross
And let me be completely lost
In the wonder of the love
That You’ve shown me
Cut through these chains that tie me down to so many lesser things
Let all my dreams fall to the ground
Until this one remains

This is everything I want
This is everything I need
I want this to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You, Jesus
Be my magnificent obsession

You are everything I want
And You are everything I need
Lord, You are all my heart desires
You are everything to me

You are everything I want
You are everything I need
I want You to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You
I want it all to be for You

Lord, I want it all to be for You, Jesus
Be my magnificent obsession