Passion
Ask yourself, “What am I passionate about?” “What drives me?” “What do I value or find worth in?” Some of the responses might be: “a boyfriend/girlfriend, a husband/wife, a job/career, a sport/activity, children or friends.” All of these things may be viable answers but at some point these things might not be things you are passionate about any longer. These people or things might bring you feelings of disappointment and discontentment. However, when you are truly passionate about something or someone even when there are disappointments and feelings of discontentment, something kicks in and says “Don't lose hope, hang in there, don’t give up on it.” A commonly used definition for passion is “any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling.” The origin of the word gives a different definition and that is “to suffer with or endure.” It may be challenging to wrap our heads around the idea that something we are passionate about is something we suffer with or endure. However, it seems befitting in that our passions drive us to do things beyond our intellectual comprehension sometimes. Our passions can motivate and hinder us all at the same time. We may sacrifice ourselves, our wants and desires for the sake of our passions.
Consider Jesus and all that He had to suffer and endure for our sakes. Hebrews 12:2 states, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame ...” – that’s PASSION! Jesus had, and still does, have a passion for you and me. In spite of ourselves, despite of ourselves, and ultimately because of ourselves Jesus still has a passion for us. This passion pushed and motivated Him to suffer and endure for our sakes. This is passion at its finest! John 15:13 says, “Greater love (passion) hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Passion creates a nevertheless attitude and endures adversity even when the odds are stacked against. Passion says, “Don’t lose hope, hang in there, and don’t give up.” Food for Thought: Start to explore what you are passionate about and determine if it is worth the time, energy, and effort that you put into it or might you need to “...[strip] off every unnecessary weight and the sin (things displeasing to God) which so easily and cleverly entangles us...” (Amplified Bible). Looking Ahead: Commitment...passion taken a step further.
