Depending on your age when you hear the word passion you may equate it with lust. Let’s be clear, this section is not on lust. It’s about an intense desire or enthusiasm for something. What are you passionate about? This might be similar to your talents, but they aren’t necessarily the same. There are things we are talented at and can even enjoy, but we aren’t passionate about. When I was younger I would draw often and I enjoyed it. I have sketchpads of many cartoon characters I drew, but it was never a passion of mine.
Where did your passions spring from? Did you see a person you admired doing it and wanted to do the same? Did you watch a play, read a book, or hear a lecture that inspired you? Write about this fire in your heart in your journal. Go ahead, write all about your passions, why you’re passionate about it, where it started and put as much detail as you can. If you’re passionate about it, believe me it won’t be that hard.
One week in Sunday school I had my class list the characteristics of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Although they are three in one, they are separate and the class wrote different characteristics for each one. One thing they didn’t put anywhere was passionate. It’s not something we typically think of when speaking on God, but God is passionate and one of the things He is passionate about is you, His creation.
I’ve seen a meme frequently and I’m sure you have as well that says: People say, “You take this Jesus thing too seriously.” Well I don’t know, but Christ took me pretty seriously when He died for me on that cross.
You wanna talk about passion! Having such an intense desire for us to be free from sin and able to spend eternity with Him that He took our place is about as passionate as you can get. Christ died on the cross for you. Let’s be honest though, depending on where we are spiritually that sounds so cheesy – Hallmark Christmas movie cheesy. We hear things like if I was the only person He still would have come and we scoff. We were created by Him, in His image, we have characteristics of Him, and yet we still can’t believe that He would be that passionate about us. Whether we believe it or not, He really is that passionate for each of us. I want you to go to your journal and write God is passionate about…then write all the things you believe God is passionate about.
So did you come up with much? I want you to go make another page in your journal. Write God is passionate about and then put your name. Yes, I want you to create a whole page just for that. I know, I know, it seems silly, but humor me. Now, all those things that you are passionate about, write those on the page in smaller letters. Those things that you are passionate about, God placed within you. Be as creative as you’d like, but here’s a very general idea of what you will be doing.
It’s funny to think that God put those passions there, isn’t it? Since God put those passions there, have you ever considered that is a reflection of Him? He is passionate for you and in turn He gave you things to be passionate about.
Have you ever looked at a picture of a grandparent or great grandparent and saw the similarities between them and another family member? Even when much time has passed the family genes continue to shine through. It’s really the same way when we think about God. Regardless of the time that passes He is the creator and when we look we can continue to see Him in us.
I wholeheartedly believe that God allows us to be passionate about things that aren’t necessarily spiritual. At the end of the day though I believe that just like our talents and abilities our passions should point to Him. If you’ve been reading my blog for long or know me personally, then you already know my thoughts on the subject, but for any newcomers I believe the closer we are to God the more our desires line up with His. It’s a pretty simple concept in my mind – the closer you are to God, the more like Him you become. The more like Him I become the more my desires are His desires.
Have you ever watched an award show and the person receiving the award thanks God, but the lyrics they sing or the shows they are in do nothing to give God glory? Do you sit back, shake your head, and wonder why are you thanking God when your life doesn’t glorify Him? My life isn’t on a stage for all to see, but if it were would the same be thought of me? Do the things that I am passionate about bring Him glory and honor? When we speak of talents or passions and God at the same time our first thoughts are typically the ability to speak in front of people or music. I can be passionate about those things and never use them for God’s glory.
Earlier in your journal, you listed things that God is passionate about. Can you find scriptures to back that up? Heads up, you won’t find a scripture that says God is passionate about… so you may have to dig a bit deeper.
Now let’s look back on your passions. How do you use them? Do they glorify God? Take time this week to really look at the things that you are passionate about. If you don’t feel they glorify God how can you change that? Do you put more priority on your passions than you do on God? Did you list God as something you are passionate about? If not, ask God to help you draw closer to Him. If you did list Him does your life reflect that you are passionate about Him?