Where is YOUR passion?

As Christians we are beginning the season of Lent. Lent is the time in our liturgical calendar when we focus on the stories of Jesus that illustrated his passion for us. Lent is supposed to be time of reflection, discernment, and a renewal of our commitment to live a life that is pleasing to God. We begin the forty days with Ash Wednesday and everything builds until we mourn the brutal death of our Savior and then rejoices that the tomb is empty. It is filled with passion. Lent is designed to be a rollercoaster of emotions from pain, sorrow, and defeat to elation, joy, hope and promise. The danger or trap we fall into is that over time Christ’s passion is dulled down because we have been through this season before.


What is passion really? Passion (from the Ancient Greek verb πάσχω (paskho) is a term applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something. The term is also often applied to a lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity or love - to a feeling of unusual excitement, enthusiasm or compelling emotion, a positive affinity or love, towards a subject, idea, person, or object Jesus Christ holds a very strong feeling about you. The four gospels are full of examples of Christ’s intense emotion compelling feeling to have a relationship with you. The stories of Christ’s life here on earth are overflowing with His enthusiasm to love you, and desire to do something for your everlasting benefit. Christ displayed his passion for you on the scars on his hands, the blood that hits the ground as it flows down his back, in his tears and public display of humiliation, public ridicule, and shame.

When I reflect on Christ’s passion for us, I quickly realize that passion is NOT a synonym for joy. With passion can come pain: when the one you love dies; struggle: when you strive to balance your passion with your daily life, and disappointment: when you miss that easy putt, if your passion is golf.

I witnessed an old man playing his guitar on Beale Street. I was mesmerized by his talent and skill and musicianship. He was oblivious to the actions of those gathered around him. As he played and sang, tears rolled down his cheeks. He didn’t just play his music but he felt his music. Every single note hit something deep within him. He played not for the audience but for himself. His music was a part of him and he was apart of the music. He had a deep intense passion for his music. His raw emotions was not entertaining but revealing who he really was.

So what is your passion? During this season of Lent, my prayer is that you discover what in life you are truly passionate about. Join us in this Lent season as we discover how we can connect our passion into ways to honor and serve Christ, who taught us the true meaning of the word “passion”. Together let us discern, define, and exhibit our passion so we may find that inner peace we have been struggling to find.
Join in on Lent, hope to see you soon, but until then take care of your self and one another,
Peace & Grace,
Tommy