Go Beyond

Poipet, Cambodia

I am interested in the dynamics of movement — of why people will leave familiar shores and risk venturing to distant horizons. This is important because every major discovery in the history of the world has been made by those who moved in new directions despite the risk. These intrepid individuals redefined the map of the world and, in the process, redefined the geography of their own lives.

A key component in the dynamics of movement is passion, a word that comes to us 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.

Passion leads to presence. Those who are passionate about something show up to make a difference or to demonstrate their support. It was a passion to alleviate the suffering of others, for example, that moved the Good Samaritan in the direction of the unfortunate robbery victim. There is no better way to demonstrate that you care than to show up — to actually be present.

Passion also leads to perspiration — to work hard to get things done. Passionate people are not afraid of being inconvenienced or having to get their uniform dirty in order to move the ball toward the goal line. Because they believe in something greater than themselves and that serves interests beyond their own, passionate people are willing to sweat it out and to slog it out to get the job done.

Passion is in no short supply among our Cambodia team. The folks on our team have come to Cambodia’s former killing fields to sow seeds of life and hope among the most desperate. Our first days here have been nothing less than poetry in motion. From off-loading luggage filled with supplies, setting up dental and medical clinics, preparing to teach hundreds of women what it means to be a follower of Christ, and caring for kids who live in an at-risk environment — passion is on display.

Yesterday was an amazing day as those we have come to serve reclined in dental chairs, visited our medical clinic to find relief from aches and pains, and worshiped and studied the Scripture together. All of this punctuated with the bustle of kids playing games, enjoying crafts, and making new discoveries about what it means to be loved by God. I love the fact that when Christ-followers show up in hard places like Poipet, there is joy and gratitude among the people.

There is no question that the passion to serve the interests of the kingdom of God has brought us here. Passion does that. It alters our priorities, helps us to see others clearly, motivates us to move in the direction of people in need, mitigates the fear of getting our hands dirty, and ultimately helps us to show a world in turmoil what it means to be an all-in follower of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to be in the company of the passionate.