I love cars. Always have, probably always will. It’s in my DNA. There are times when even I weary of my inane love for everything automotive. I don’t just love fast cars or expensive cars or the latest cars or even the oldest cars…I love cars.
I don’t love cars because I envision how I might look to others as I drive them. I don’t fantasize about owning a particular car, thinking I would be contented if I owned that car. I know better. I just love cars. I guarantee that if you stop me in your everyday, vanilla, used car and asked, “How do you like my car?” I’d find something I genuinely admire about it. “Oh, look! That’s neat how the scratch on the door matches the fender!” And I’d mean it! It’s embarrassing, really.
For years I felt sorry for others who didn’t share my passion. I couldn’t imagine not knowing the difference between a Ford and Chevy. As a youngster, I recall sighing in embarrassment at my grandmother’s comments about cars. “Oh, this is just like Wanda’s new car!” she’d say. I’d roll my eyes and moan, “For heavens’ sake, Grandma! Wanda drives a Pinto. This is a Corvette!” She’d smile and reply in confident innocence, “Oh? But they’re both blue!”
Marilyn has spent much of her life sharing me with cars. To her, cars are simply a means of transportation—but she often speaks “car” to me, knowing it’s my love language. And, she’s made more than one U-turn under full power after I’ve blurted out, “Stop! Turn around, there’s a Model A coupe in the weeds behind that barn!”
Here’s how an exchange between me and a new acquaintance might go…
New guy: “So, do you fish?” Me: “Mmm, nope.”
New guy: “Do you bike?” Me: “Uuuh, nope.”
New guy: “Well then, do you golf?” Me: ”Do golf carts have V8’s?”
Pathetic, isn’t it? I considered starting an organization to help those with similar addictions; Automotives Anonymous; but I think those initials have already been taken.
I like to think I’m passionate, I just hope I’m not in the “Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs” bracket—though I have noticed my nose taking on a rainbow-like hue lately.
I don’t know what your passions are, but I hope there’s something in your life you’re passionate about. Maybe you’ve never considered passion as a godly trait. Oh, yeah… God is the author of passionate. He is passionate about everything He does. Can you image Him choosing to fashion birds, flowers, children and puppies without passionate attention to every detail?
And what’s more: God is passionate about you. He passionately cares about you and the things you care about.
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:8-13
Lord, I now realize that your sacrifice for my sins on the cross is a clear demonstration of your passion for me. I realize the only way I can adequately thank you is to live passionately for the things you care about. Help me today to passionately care about what you passionately care about.
Read John 15:8-13 again.
- 1. Now, don’t be humble. List things you do well that might bring glory to God.
- 2. List a few things you are passionate about. How do you demonstrate that passion?
- 3. Now consider how your passions might bring glory to God.
- 4. In verse 9, what is the model Jesus uses in His love for you?
- 5. According to verse 13, what is the greatest display of passion ever?
Read 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 and vs. 13
- 1. Paul urges us to give financially and to “excel in this __________________ of giving.”
- 2. Why would Paul ask them to excel in grace when it comes to giving?
- 3. Why do you think Paul encourages us to give with passion (grace)?
- 4. According to verse 13, what is the desired purpose of our giving?
Read 1 Timothy 1:14-16
- 1. Verse 14 uses several descriptive phrases that speak of passion; what are they?
- 2. Paul tells Timothy, that he is saved but he was also a passionate __________________.
- 3. From “worst to first” might describe all of us who have accepted Christ’s love. According to verse 16 how might Christ’s passionate patience affect others?
- 4. Consider how your passion for Christ might be quietly demonstrated to others. What are some of those ways?
Lord Jesus, the passion that carried you to the cross on my behalf is incredible! Please cause your passion to flood over into my heart as I offer my life to you. Increase my capacity for passion. May my passions become channels that bring glory to you and your kingdom. Amen