PASSION BEYOND EMOTION
In Romans 12:9-12 it says, Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
It only seems appropriate to talk about passion as we are being challenged to have a more intimate relationship with God. Passion is sometimes misunderstood or defined improperly. Sometimes passion is used to describe two people who are in love with each other, or other times the screams of a cheering fan. Is passion just simply that: an emotion or expression. I believe passion goes beyond emotion. It goes beyond the blissful feelings you get from the person or thing that you're crazy about. Passion is the very thing that keeps you committed to something.
The dictionary describes passion is an intense desire or enthusiasm for something. It is both of those things, but I believe passion is best described as joyful determination. Think of that one thing you love doing, but maybe you're not that good and no matter how bad you are you keep doing it and loving it. Or, what about that person, the one who can't sing but that never stops them or steals their joy. These are examples of passion the way I describe - joyful determination. It is with joyful determination, and desire and enthusiasm, that we should approach our relationship with God and with each other. And it is this kind of passion that will keep us committed and keeps us going.
TODAYS CHALLENGE
Approach your relationships with friends, spouses, others and God with passion and enthusiasm. When situations aren't perfect with others or in your relationship with God, don't give up. Instead, love with passion - with joyful determination - and stay committed. Don't just be committed, be enthusiastic. When you spend time with people and with God, make them feel like you are excited to be with them.
TODAYS PRAYER
Lord, today I commit to pursue you and every relationship in my life with passion. I know that things won't always be perfect, but I ask you to give me strength to keep my joy and let your love shine through me. I ask that others would see my excitement for you and would desire to come to know you. You loved me with a passionate love, and now I commit to giving that back to you. In Jesus name, Amen.
