Go Beyond

Have you noticed how people sometimes refer to a particular cause as being their passion? The word “passion” is from the Latin word passus, a form of the word pati which means to suffer. Webster defines passion as “a powerful emotion or appetite” and also as “ardent love” and “boundless enthusiasm.” There are certain signs that indicate whether someone is indeed passionate about a particular cause or is just blowing proverbial smoke. I posted a blog two years ago about Living with Passion. Here are a few additional observations about what it means to be passionate.

Presence | Passion leads to presence. When you are passionate about something you show up to make a difference or to demonstrate your support. There is no better way to demonstrate that you care than to show up — to actually be present. If you are passionate about making a difference in our government you show up at the voting booth. If you are passionate about your sports team you show up at the stadium. Unless providentially hindered, passionate people show up to demonstrate that they care about issues and causes and are committed to making a difference.

Perspiration | Passion leads to perspiration. My friends Mike and Kenzie Malkemes are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children in Houston’s Third Ward. So, Mike and Kenzie work hard to tear down crack houses, clear lots filled with garbage, organize tutoring and sporting events for kids, and much more. You can tell they are passionate by the sweat on their brows. Their ministry, Generation One, mobilizes thousands of volunteers annually to serve others. It’s hard to convince folks that you are passionate about a cause if you never perspire or get your hands dirty on behalf of that cause.

Priorities | Passion alters our priorities. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what you are passionate about. Your commitment tells the story. Evidence of your passion should be found on your calendar and in your checkbook. We make time and set aside money to support the causes we are most passionate about. Those who are passionate make the time to get involved, to lend a hand, and to contribute financially.

Prayer | Passion ascends to heaven in the language of prayer. What we talk to God about most is an indication of what we are passionate about.  John Knox, the great Scottish Reformer, pleaded with God, “Give me Scotland or I die.” George Whitfield, probably the most famous evangelist in the eighteenth century, prayed, “O Lord, give me souls or take my soul.” When Henry Martyn, an Anglican priest and missionary, saw the peoples of India and Persia trapped in false religion, he mourned, “I cannot endure existence if Jesus is to be so dishonored.” Evidence of our passion should be found in the language of our prayers.

What cause are you giving yourself to? What keeps you up at night? What disturbs you most or makes you angry? What has captured your imagination and your heart? Where do you cheerfully and sacrificially invest time and money? Where do you volunteer? Who are the beneficiaries of your perspiration? How would you communicate your passion to others using only a single sentence? What would those closest to you say that your passion is? Do your actions communicate to others what your passion is? What are you doing to make a difference that will outlast you? I hope that you will think deeply about how God can use you to make a difference in our world. He is looking for people who passionately love Him and who are willing to passionately serve others.