Passion is a force to be reckoned with. It can motivate or drive us as people. For some, it leads them to do great things. For others, it is an outward expression of their commitment to a physical activity, a job, a sporting event, music, or literature.
Passion can help us to achieve great heights, while allowing us to push beyond our own self-imposed limitations.
The word passion is very complex. It can be defined as both suffering from and a devotion to something or someone. Passion is an emotion that is felt deeply. It can take us to heights we never dreamed possible and it can lead us to the greatest valleys we have ever experienced.
Love of family and friends can cause us to experience passion at its highest level, while losing a loved one can create a type of passion leading to the depth of despair.
This is where the “purpose of passion” is revealed. Here we are reminded, it is love that gives passion to life. This love reminds us of the value others bring to our lives.
In fact, our lives are filled with passion because of these relationships. Yet even here, we can only begin to understand the complexity of passion.
You see, being passionate is vital to becoming all we can be as a person. At the same time, we must be aware when our passions are misplaced, they can lead us to a place of self-absorption or selfishness, which can be both detrimental and destructive.
The greatest example of the extremes of passion is Jesus’ death on the Cross. It is here we see the true picture of passion. The depth of the passion He experienced as He suffered was as real and apparent as the reality He went to the Cross for the “joy set before Him.”.
To be sustained through both despair and joy is “the purpose of passion” and this is a gift from God.
How to know when our passion is leading us in the right direction can be difficult to understand and realize. However, if we continue moving forward, we will find the fulfillment passion brings.
Along with sustaining us and guiding us to a fulfilling and purposeful life. Passion allows us to see, it is loving and being loved that will lead us through both the depth of despair and the joy of living life can bring.
Without passion, we will never realize, the darkest moments of our life can be used by God to lead us to the joy that has been set before us!
Hebrews 12:1-2, “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
