God's Passion

“You can't force passion.” Ask a starving artist or an author dealing with writer’s block if that’s possible: So how do you find your passion? Basically, you could determine what you enjoy spending your time on, or what is deeply satisfying to you even if it’s a struggle to do it; and it will typically show in your work.

Our culture has a tendency to determine what our passions “should” be. We should be passionate about making money. We should be passionate about sports, or art, or hunting, or shopping, or technology. While those things may be okay, are those things something that brings deep satisfaction to your life? Passions could be summarized as those things we do that bring us joy, and bring us peace. And joy or peace are deeper feelings than simply “fun.”

What would God’s passion be? What brings Him joy or peace? What is truly satisfying to Him?
His children are His passion, and most of us can sympathize with that. We do what we do for our kids because we love them; but at the end of the day, our children may bring us tremendous grief or tremendous joy. Most parents aren’t seeking accolades for their efforts, but a more genuine response. Psalms 51:17 reminds us that “the sacrifices that please God (or bring Him joy) are those from a broken heart and a pure heart…”

Or as Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Because people displaying a consistent and genuinely pure heart display a love towards their fellow man similar to God’s display of love for mankind.

God’s actions have proven that He loves us so much. Or as John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Seeing His children excited about running to their Heavenly Father, wanting them to want Him around, and listening to His guidance brings God joy. His actions continually prove that He wants them to have that passion within themselves.

The Passion of the Christ is more than a ritualistic scene depicting Jesus’ self-sacrifice on the cross. Instead, it’s a glimpse into God’s desire for us to want to be near Him, and the lengths He’s willing to go to make that happen.

What keeps you from bringing joy to God’s heart? Consider the words of Hebrews 12:1-2, “Let us throw off every sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame.”