What’s Your Passion?

Passion is a very versatile word. Although the etymology is complex, it derives from the Latin word, pati, to suffer. It was originally used to describe the sufferings of Christ in the hours between the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. For Christians, that definition still applies. The time from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday is known as Passion Week. However, over the years, the word has taken on additional, non-religious meanings. Passion can mean a strong, almost overpowering feeling or conviction. We often see this in a person’s political or religious convictions. It could be an outbreak of anger. We have all heard about crimes of passion. Passion could also be strong affection for another – love. Coupled with that definition, passion can mean sexual desire. Finally, passion can be a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept. It could be said that a person is passionate about the Tampa Bay Rays, exercise, or abortion. 

I once had a friend whose favorite statement was that there is nothing more obnoxious than a new convert to anything. While this may be an overstatement, people often do get passionate about their newest activity. Part of this is that when we are passionate about something, we want to help others have that same passion.

Christians and Passion. As Christians we need to be passionate about the right things. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy pleasurable things as much as anyone but we must keep things in the right perspective. I once knew an individual who desired a boat. Eventually, he was able to purchase one, and he and his family spent some enjoyable weekends on the lake. But after a while, he realized that the boat had become a passion that hampered his relationship with God. While spending weekends on the boat, he was missing out on worship and times with fellow Christians in his church. He realized he needed to sell the boat and did.

John Bunyan was a pastor who gave much thought to pleasures. He came to the realization that “desires are hunting things.”  In other words, when we seek pleasure we are on a treasure hunt of sorts to find a pleasure that will fill a void in our lives. Desires and pleasures are not all good or all bad. They may be pure or they may be evil. Bunyan once said that our “Love for God is more seen in desires than in any Christian act.” or, as my Mother would say “What you do speaks so loud I can’t hear what you say.” If you want to know what someone values, don’t listen to what they say, look at what they do.

When I became a runner, you could say that I became passionate about it. I read about running, I began to run in races, I sought out other runners to join me, I went to seminars on running. I had a hunger to do whatever I could do to make myself a better runner. I maintained a log of my runs. I even completed two marathons. I proudly wore my t-shirts that I got at my races. When I missed a few days running, I missed being out on the roads. You could say I was addicted.

Spiritual Discipline. We should carry that same passion that I had for running into our spiritual lives. We should do all we can to make ourselves better Christians. How is this done? We can make an intentional effort to practice spiritual disciplines. In our society we often use the word practice to describe our profession. I had a CPA practice. A medical doctor is said to practice medicine, an attorney practices law. In these cases, it is not a matter of practice making perfect, but a constant focus on learning more about your given profession and becoming the best CPA, doctor, or attorney that you can become. Likewise, practicing the spiritual disciplines can make us better Christians. My list of spiritual disciplines is likely different from others that you have seen but I would list six such disciplines or practices.

Know the Bible. Read it. Study it. Memorize it. Sing it. Pray it. Ponder it. The Bible is a book that must be used. You can’t put it under your pillow and expect the message to flow into you while sleeping. Many who have gone before us have written commentaries or other publications that can help us understand the Bible more fully. Beware that, just because it is written, it may not be valid. Anyone can write something. It is our responsibility to evaluate the writings of others to determine if it is consistent with what we know about the Bible. As we study more, we become more aware of any inconsistencies in the writings of others. All of these activities can help the words of the Bible be within us. 

Someone may say that Jesus said to listen to your heart. But Luke 12:34. Jesus said “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” And in Matthew 15:19, He spoke “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements.” If we know the Bible, we will know that Jesus didn’t say to listen to our hearts.

Generosity. The Bible has a lot to say about us being generous, more than we can cover in detail in this article. Malachi 3:10 reads “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse.” When we start talking about tithing, we tend to get legalistic. Is the tithe ten percent? Of my net or my gross? Do I have to give my tithe to my church?  All of this misses the point. We are to give bountifully, cheerfully, not reluctantly. 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us “God loves a cheerful giver.” And in verse 11, we read “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” Although it begins there, our giving does not stop at the church. We are to give generously to those in need. All that we have is from God. We should use that to help others. The parable of the faithful steward in Luke 12:42-48 makes this abundantly clear. Give because you love God. And don’t worry about any tax deduction.

Fellowship. When the COVID epidemic hit, churches were not open for worship. We received much of our spiritual nourishment via online worship services. Unfortunately, too many found this to be convenient and made online worship the norm for them. This is unfortunate, as we are missing out on fellowship. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” By meeting together, we help others move closer to God as we also move in that direction.

Fasting. Unfortunately, this is a spiritual discipline that is often overlooked. But it should be part of our spiritual “arsenal.” Jesus said in Matthew 6:16-18 “When you fast,  do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” Two things stand out in these verses. One, Jesus said “when you fast,” not “if you fast.” He presumed we would fast. Second, our fasting is nothing to brag about. Fasting is between me and God. 

Fasting can include refraining from things other than food. This is especially helpful for anyone having a health condition that prohibits them from fasting. We know that Daniel (10:3) fasted from certain foods and wine for three weeks. We are also told (depending on the translation) that he did not anoint his head, shave, bathe, or comb his hair during those three weeks.

Obviously, we can give up something other than food during a fast. The key here is that we choose something meaningful, something that is a part of our regular life and that we enjoy. I could say that I am going to conduct a shellfish fast. That is meaningless, as I have a potentially fatal allergy to shellfish and never eat it. I would not be giving up anything in this case. When we fast, we can use that time to shape our experience and connection with God.

Prayer and Silence. We must never forget that prayer is a two-sided activity. We talk to God and He answers us. A prayer can be short. “Lord, Joe is going through a rough time right now. Meet his needs.” God already knows about Joe. You are one among many who are bringing concerns about Joe to God. I don’t understand how God works in prayer, but I know we are commanded to pray. Continued prayer for a specific request helps us recall the need, and maybe we will be the catalyst to meet that need. Earnest prayer brings a conviction that we are to be God’s instrument. 

The other side of prayer is waiting to hear God speak to us. When the Lord appeared to Elijah in 1 Kings 19, He was not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire. But God was in a gentle whisper. That’s how God came to Elijah. Elijah kept listening and God spoke. He came to Moses in a fire – the burning bush. Don’t presume how God will speak to you or answer your prayers. 

I am reminded of the story of a man who was caught in a flood. He made it to the roof of his house and prayed for God to rescue him. Some people came by in a boat and offered to save him. He declined. A helicopter came, and once again, he declined. When the man drowned, he faced God in Heaven. He asked God why his prayer wasn’t answered. God replied “I sent you a boat and a helicopter.” 

If you don’t keep an open mind you may miss his message for you. Earnestly seek Him. Wait for Him. His timing is not our timing. Matthew 7:7 tells us “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Spiritual Markers. These are not often thought of as spiritual disciplines, but I include them here because they can be a valuable tool in our spiritual journey, as they remind us of where we have been and how God brought us to where we are. Henry Blackaby identifies spiritual markers as “a time of decision when you clearly know that God guided you.” Kathy Howard defines them as “a tangible, physical object we deliberately choose to represent God’s significant presence and activity in our life. This “God event” could be a spiritual encounter, a clear call to service, a specific time of divine direction or intervention, a miraculous act, or more. This object will serve as a permanent reminder of what God has done in our lives or a time that He taught us something new about who He is or how He works.

I recall after my first wife, Gloria, died, I was going through her belongings. Some days I didn’t get much done, as I came across something that stirred memories and I found myself walking down memory lane. That’s how spiritual markers work. 

Spiritual markers can also help us to celebrate. I have a friend whose family seemingly celebrates all the time. I would call them great “celebrators.” I asked her about their celebratory events. She commented that family is special and celebrating their events shows how much the family cares for them, even in the time spent preparing for the celebration. But most of all, she focuses on the love, joy, kindness, and praise they give each other and to our Lord. Not only do they lift up family and loved ones, they are witnesses for Christ in their celebrations. 

Celebrating events in our lives can keep us grounded, can remind us of why we chose the path we chose. Several years ago, I was at a crossroads in my life. I needed to make several life-changing decisions. My church had a month-long period of fasting. I chose to fast on Tuesdays. During this time, I prayed about three major issues in my life. Before long, events came together and I got clarity on the direction I should go. That, for me, was a spiritual marker. 

As we have seen, there are many things about which we can be passionate.. Is there anything in your life about which you are more passionate than your relationship with God?

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible.