A friend and I were talking the other day about passion.  Passion with regards to what we love, what motivates us,or what may define us.  In the conversation, we spoke about how important it is for us as people to seek out what really drives us and fulfils us.  Later, I began to wonder what would life be like without having something that we are passionate about.  As I thought about that, I became interested with the idea of passion and God.

     Passion is usually associated with extreme emotion.  On one end love and on the other anger.  In the dictionary, passion is defined as “compelling emotion”, “strong fondness”, “enthusiasm”, or “desire for something.”  When we are passionate about something,or someone, we are motivated.  We want to spend our time and energy with what or whom we are passionate about.  At some level we need passion in our lives.

     Having a passion for something, and having the ability to pursue that passion, may be something that not all of us can experience.  When I consider people just grinding out an existence, just surviving, they may not have the opportunity to pursue their passion.  They may in fact be living lives without passion.  Lives without a reason to just get up in the morning.  But having a passion for God, and having him as our hearts desire, is not limited by our situation. God has made himself available to all, through Christ Jesus.  Scripture speaks about God as a “rewarder of those who seek him.”  He too, desires that passionate relationship with us.

     The Psalmist, in Psalm 63:1-8 writes,

O God, you are my God,I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.  Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.  My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.  (NRSV)

     There is a lot of passion being expressed here to God.  It speaks of a deep and abiding relationship with God.  Implied in this passage, is an experience and passion that has been developed through time.  Most probably by being honest with God, by praying and wating on him, and watching God at work in their lives and in the lives of others around them.

     Certainly we are not to live lives without passion.  That is a part of our make up as human beings.  God does want us to know him, love him, and be passionate towards him.  His very actions for our sake, compell us, and draw us to him.

     How is it that you are moved by passion towards God?  How is it that you have become more passionate about God and his purposes?

Picture: Purple Passion FSOD, by PinkMoose