Passion

Recently I spent a few days in Gettysburg with some of the other interns. While I was there I could not help but feel the passion that was evident in the people that fought and died there. On both sides of the war, they had this all encompassing passion that pushed them on through the tough times and the moments of hardship and despair. In the museum there are many letters from the lines, both to their loved ones and from their loved ones. These letters convey their earnest to do what is right and their unbridled desire to see it done. This passion that they had is something that has clearly been lost on this generation. Their lives were ruled by it and everything that they did displayed it for all to see. So what happened? Why after over a hundred years has this reckless passion disappeared? Why are we now ruled by an apathy that is as contagious as the passion that was once held by our forefathers and those in the civil war?

I think that one of the reasons is that we're afraid of passion. It is frightening and it makes people do crazy things. When you are passionate about something your mind tends to focus on just that and people think you're obsessed or even worse. Once you've tasted passion and seen its effects in your life you can't help but be passionate about everything else. God's stance on passion is pretty obvious as well. On several occasions Jesus says to leave everything and follow Him. He wants your entire focus to be on Him, not to be distracted by the worries of your day or the things that you have or even desire. He says at one point that you are neither Hot nor Cold so I will spit you out of my mouth. He doesn't want a lukewarm affection, He wants an unbridled, reckless love.

It is very easy to go through life without experiencing passion for something. It is passion however that can alter the entire shape of the world. I went to an event put on by World Vision and while I was there I read about a four year old girl who started a non-profit organization that sends thousands of toys to children in Africa. A four year old with a passion for serving others was able to change the world. Another story is that of the person who at the age of 16 started a movement entitled Loose change to loosen chains. He is now collecting money around the world to help free those still under slavery. His passion has altered the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Can you imagine what this world would be like if each of us was passionate about serving God?

I know that in my life I have been in both places. I can tell from experience that being passionate is not easy. You tend to get burned by it, sometimes its hard and makes life even more difficult. There are times where you just want a break from it as it can be mentally, physically and emotionally draining. I can tell you also from experience that there is no other way to live life fully than to live passionately for Christ. So don't be afraid to be burned, or get hurt; don't be afraid to be thought crazy or a fool; don't back away when things get tough; stand up and passionately live your life for Christ.