As he was growing up, my son Matthew made a conscious and prayerful decision to avoid the dating process. He made it through a good portion of his sophmore year in college before he was smitten. During the ensuing time we have had multiple conversations about relationships and many of the issues that seem to accompany this phenomenom. I watched as he struggled with the natural and inborn passion that accompanies falling in love. What really impressed me was one of our conversations when he announced that he was making a special point of avoiding circumstances that tempt him. To me that signifies wisdom way beyond his years. Over the next few months I watched as my son developed a stronger and more meaningful friendship with his girlfriend. That, I believe will be the foundation for them to construct something of long-term value.
Passion is one of those emotions that can make you feel as if you are on the top of Mount Everest, arms wide open basking in God’s pure light and fresh air, or the #2 horse, exactly one horse length behind in a long, hot race on a nasty, muddy track with the finish line visible through the mane of his tail. Passion or zeal for something, can drive us to attain our dreams or cause us to view ourselves and lives with the greatest disdain. It is an emotion that can bring out the best and worst of us. What I find truly remarkable is its use in the Bible. The OT word (qin’ah) is used both for religious zeal and sexual passion! Two NT words (pathos & pathēma) carry an understanding of a passionate affliction as one is affected by an emotional experience (based on the root word Paschō.) It seems as if zeal and passion are much like food — you can’t really attain the fullness of life (or truly exist) without it, but overconsumption is hazardous to your health!
Those of you who are extroverted and care very deeply about how others see you will struggle much more than your brothers and sisters. You will constantly find yourself in positions where you feel as if you may need to compromise your values. Yet, you will also find applause because your willingness to step out and “go for it” allowed you to achieve what others just dream about. On the other hand, those of you who are more introverted will think more deeply about the consequences of compromising your values and will not put yourself into compromising situations as quickly as others. However, you will also question your abilities and restrain what could be greatness or excellence because of your fear of failure. You will simply not execute on the passion God stirred in your heart.
The truth is that Jesus acted on the zeal and passion He was prophesied to possess (John 2:17 on Psalm 69:9). He had the good sense to manage and focus it where it would have the greatest eternal significance, yet remain sensitive to those to whom He came in contact with. He did not neglect His calling, deny His motivations or allow fear to detract Him from His goals. You have precisely same capacity whether you realize it or not. You and the Holy Spirit are a tremendous management team when it comes to passion! Don’t deny it; use it in the same way you use your spiritual gifts!
Love,
Dad