I had originally thought I was led to do this; write, share, post what was on my heart. I had then thought this might have been a mistake, but I have not been able to escape such thoughts over the past couple of days.
Several things have been firm on my heart. One of those is relationships; what does relationship mean, where does it come from, in God's eyes how should we apply this, what does it mean for a believer, etc, etc.
Another, which was brought to mind yesterday, was P A S S I O N.
What does this mean? We are coming up on what we celebrate now as Passion Sunday. This is a time when we re-read the accounts of what took place in the week leading up to the crucifixion. The announcement of the readings is The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to (insert this years Gospel
Webster's has two definitions that I like without using biblical reference: intense, driving or overmastering feeling or conviction and ardent affection. Some place along the lines it does throw in sexual desire, but only as a last resort in the definitions. How many will go crazy yelling at the television because a ref made or didn't make a call? How many will push others out of their way in order to get home to watch another episode of some "reality" show....gee wonder if she is sincere about wanting to marry this guy or is there some motive (like becoming instantly marketable on television) that might be pushing her? Willing to get up at 4a to get out to the favorite fishing hole before sun-up? How about those 3a risers to get into the woods before the deer start moving?
These are passions that folks have. And there is nothing wrong with it. I have a passion for history. Spent many a day and night re-enacting the American Revolution. I love fishing and yes, I do yell at the TV when a Ranger gets called for hooking and they let the Flyer get away with an elbow to the head. Yet, I have those passions in my life only after some very long nights (and sometimes days) in meditation/submission to my Lord. Why? Glad you asked.
Paul wrote to the church, explaining that God had laid it out to him to put all of his person into subjection of Jesus as Lord. It is from this perspective that I write. You see, I am concerned that all too often, we are willing to go to church, even serve in some kind of ministry, but fail to actually subject our 'self' to God. if there is even a portion of you that you have held back from Him, you are missing out on a wonderful journey.
Denying having passions will only lead to trouble. Suppress it long enough and whatever passion you may feel will find an outlet, and that will typically be something at least unhealthy if not down right dangerous. Ignoring or pretending we don't have passion is like a fish pretending it is a bird. It just don't work but for a minute and the end is not pretty.
We are passion. We are created and designed with free will. That will is often driven by our passions. Our passions don't have to be things to be afraid of or ashamed of provided we first put them in subjection to Jesus Christ as Lord. When one takes their passions and hands them up to God and asks Him to shape them, He will. He will use whatever level of passion you offer up to bring glory to the kingdom, to shape ministry, to change atmospheres and to alter the world around you.
1. Surrender your will to God
2. Surrender your heart to God, knitting your heart to His heart
3. Surrender your passions to God
He then returns the passion back to you, except now it operates out of the redemption. ??? here's how: His spirit flows in you and through you, when you subject your passions to Him and allow him to shape them, your passions come back to you based upon His passions (zeal for His house has eaten me up--book of Psalms). You are now able to act on those passions, but have them measured and weighed by what He would have. Which means, ideally, that Kingdom matters come first. Is it OK for me to be passionate about golf as a believer? Absolutely....when I am subjecting that passion to Jesus. What does that look like? Well, it would look like not sacrificing time with God and His family for a quick round. Or having a wonderfully flowing amount of explicative flying because of ending up in the rough for the .......... time. It might look like, "hey, any youth want to try going to the driving range? I'll spend time teaching you how to swing the clubs." Or "Men's (Women's) group is having a golf outing day next month. Singles and teams welcome to sign up. Tee time is 9a on Saturday, we will be playing 18 holes."
When speaking about passion (the same when I speak on intimacy), please understand that I am not referencing sex. Sexual passion is a factor, but again, put it into subjection of God. Passion does not equal sex. (Nor does intimacy......heard a friend the other day speak about doing premarital counseling. It is astounding the number of times when couples are asked if they are intimate, they automatically jump to thinking the question refers to sex. When my friend says, No, I'm asking if you pray together, then they get embarrassed and say, 'that's too personal'....go figure.)
Now, here's the question of questions for believers: What if you allowed God to stir in you a passion for seeking His face, His glory, His kingdom, and expressing His love to the world? Could you please, just for a moment, imagine what the world around you would become like if you allowed Him to take what passions you have, especially those that you are bottled up inside right now, reshape them and release them back to you in such a way that you could find true passion for Him and His son? Please imagine that. Imagine what it would be like for you in church this coming Sunday? Imagine cheering on a pastor like you would cheer on an odd man rush in hockey or talking about a sermon you heard like you would that trip up into the Adirondacks hunting last fall or stopping your car in a parking lot and getting out to help an elderly gentleman with his groceries like you would stop a car along the highway to look at a vista.......
Looking for biblical references? How about the Book of Psalms, the whole thing...loaded with passions; from love to awe to fear to anger to disappointment back to love and awe. Or, we could take a journey through the Song of Songs. David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant when it was brought to Jerusalem and going so far as to tell his wife that he hasn't begun to dance as much as he could yet for the Lord. Moses before the burning bush----yes, dropping down to your face before the Lord is an act of passion (fear at the same time, but passion as well). Jesus---whole life, take a look. Phillip, Stephen, Paul, John, etc., etc, etc. Next time you read a passage of scripture, ask for Holy Spirit to guide you and reveal the passion in it.
So, brothers and sisters, put all things in subjection under Christ.....and...allow His passion to flow through you like a river of Living water.
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