The Passion, His Passion, My passion and Our Passion

I read something interesting on my dad's blog(splashingthoughts.blogspot.com) that i thought was interesting.

Passion is love beyond circumstance and change, more over Passion exists even in times where there are negativities pitted against it.

It dawn on me that is what "The Passion" means. Or, at least in some respect it does.

Christ, being human had His struggles with baring the cross. I think He may have even doubts that God was still with Him ("Why have you forsaken me?"). Now i won't claim that one to be true, i have not explored it enough. But i do think its obvious that Jesus found Himself running into walls along His way to the cross.

But, He was passionate about His father's will. His commitment was beyond mere enjoyment or entertainment. We all know what that looks like right? Its the friend that plays with the Jesus thing for awhile and then abandons Him when it gets tough, or Jesus doesn't do what that person wishes He would do. They would have said before that they loved Jesus, but now they may even hate Him.

That situation alludes to another problem in our culture; has to how we view the true meaning of love, but not now.

I would say that the friend was probably honestly connected with God, that he or she did taste God, but under-estimated the cost and the investment of really LOVING and being PASSIONATE about Jesus. I have many friend such as this, and my hurt burns for them to become passionate about Christ. And I think they still will. I do not think God gives up on us, that he will chase us until we say yes.

Real love and passion goes beyond hardships, even to the point of rejoicing in them. I have learned a hard lesson in rejoicing in hardships, but what i have come to understand how the apostles could rejoice while in jail or while being stoned. Because they were passionate about following Jesus. Thats how in love they were with Him, and thats how in love i want to be.

But it starts with a choice often, a choice to seek hard and farther than before. It is comes when you choose to follow even in tough times. Then God will lead you out of the dryland and into a valley rich with love. There on the other side you find yourself becoming more and more passionate.

So let us be passionate about the One who is passionate about us!