Passion is powerful.
I realize this and so am always working to focus my own passion
into productive, positive avenues (including people) because I’ve learned how
destructive and consuming these passions can be left to their own devices. My passion seems to have a mind of it’s
own often wanting to take the paths that seem to offer the most
excitement. I’ve discovered the
trick to controlling it is to remember I “own” the passion; it has to submit to my authority over
it; it has to go where I direct it . . . much like the account in the Bible
where Jesus directed the demons into the pigs. Passions can be those demons and if left to work
things out on their own, they may seek out those filthy pigs of deeds and
activities and then run me off a cliff.
How’s that for a weird analogy?
I recently had the opportunity to observe a young passionate
woman at a very conservative gathering.
I watched in fascination at the scene. She was expressing her deepest feelings and thoughts and she was bubbling over with excitement
and enthusiasm about an interesting idea someone had put forth. In my mind’s eye I could see the
passion as if it were a dye spilling and splashing onto everyone as it gushed
out of a spinning washing machine whose lid had been left open. I looked around the room and made note
of the responses; one man (the most gracious among us – and also a passionate
person) was smiling and laughing out loud, which served to fuel her
expression. Another woman was also
smiling broadly; I could see the affection on her face and an understanding –
she too was “a passionate.” But
there were other responses; several people looked annoyed; many squirmed and looked
uncomfortable. Some listened for a
while but soon tuned out – staring off into space or down at their shoes – probably
distracted by their thoughts of work, children, parents or other worries. Out
of about 20 of us, three or four “received” and appreciated her passion.
I love passionate people – I am one. I love talking with them, spending time
with them, doing most anything with them.
Passion is enticing, intoxicating, pleasurable, joyful, fun and
breathtaking, but I’ve learned that it scares some people; makes others
uncomfortable and still others endure it but hope it doesn’t spill onto
them. Passion is precious and
should be given to those you love, to whom God directs you and into those
activities that enrich your life and the lives of others. Like light, when passion is focused and
directed it has incredible power, but when it is untamed, it can leave us, and
everyone near us, feeling overexposed. It has led some people to achieve remarkable athletic feats, acquire vast amounts of knowledge and education and others to live selfless, charitable lives. But, it has also led many down roads of reckless self-indulgence, selfishness and destruction.
As I finish writing my thoughts on passion, I find myself
alone with my God. I can begin to
understand my own passion through His expression of passion toward me. His singularly focused passion caused
Him to step out of eternity and into time; to clothe Himself in humanity; to
endure suffering and carry my sins to the cross. An eternal God with such a passion for me that He tasted
death so I wouldn’t have to; so that I could be with Him in eternity. That’s what a focused, loving passion can do . .
. it can save the world. It saved
me.
