I Knew Passion

 

 

 

Passion was once an intellect.

He sought truth and glorified knowledge.

He explained history and expounded wisdom. 

I knew Passion the day he taught.

 

Passion was once a physician.

He studied faithfully and endured sleepless nights.

He nurtured the sick and served the down.

I knew Passion the day he healed.

 

Passion was once a musician.

He tirelessly articulated his essence and perfected his song.

He soothed torn hearts and animated the audience.

I knew Passion the day he performed.

 

 Passion was once a warrior.

He relentlessly trained for victory and numbed his body to pain.

He was dangerous for evil and protected his own.

 I knew Passion the day he fought.

 

Passion was once a lover.

He pursued her heart with conviction and grace.

 He won his wife every day and consistently built her up.

I knew Passion the day he loved.

  

But Passion was mortal.

He encountered misuse, betrayal, denial, and loss.

His object of affection was set out of reach and, in the unexplained, he quietly faded.

I knew Passion the day he died.

 

      Why do passions come and go? On one hand, I think our passions can be attributed to genetics, conditioning by our unique experiences, and refining by our talents, gifts, and opportunities. I think God gives us passions and will use them for His glory. Passion is a beautiful thing when its drive is for good. We typically praise the passionate. But passion is mortal and, as long as it’s based on temporary things, always has the potential of changed, diminish, and death. The point is that we will always be set up for disappointment unless our greatest passion is immortal- a passion based on the eternal.

     There is no greater passion than passion for Christ, Himself. (Where do I even begin with His worthiness?) His unsearchable richness, splendor, and wisdom as God- His humility, dedication, and sacrifice of love demonstrated in His life on earth- and the cross! His greatness as God the Creator and Sustainer of the universe blows my mind and His intimacy as my Father, Friend, and Redeemer win my heart. I long for my own heart's cry to be like the Psalmist’s:

God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You.
I thirst for You;
my body faints for You
in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
So I gaze on You in the sanctuary
to see Your strength and Your glory.

My lips will glorify You
because Your faithful love is better than life.
So I will praise You as long as I live;
at Your name, I will lift up my hands.
You satisfy me as with rich food;
my mouth will praise You with joyful lips

 (Psalm 63:1-5, HCSB)

     One of the most sorrowful things to see is people loose their passions and become hard or apathetic. Everyone goes through rough times. It can be instrumental in increasing an immortal passion for God if we trust Him and let them draw us closer to Him. But not everyone comes out of them the better. I mourn in my heart when I see it happen to those I care for and my prayer is that God reignites within them an everlasting passion- a living passion for God; for His person, His truth, and promises. And I hope they will do the same for me if they see me struggle or question.

Oh, God-ignite within us true lasting passion!

Be the Intellect’s Light-
The Physician’s Remedy-
The Musician’s Muse-
The Warrior’s Allegiance-
The lover’s first Love….
 

 

There is an everlasting Passion.

He tasted the Lord and found Him good.

He worshiped God and illuminated Him to the world.

May this be the Passion I know today.