Passions Expose`

What is passion? It is surely the becoming and releasing of our authentic self. Are we not, for most of our lives, marking time? Most of our being is at rest, un-lived, unless sparked by passion. In passion; the body, soul and spirit seek expression outside of self. What we are ‘passionate’ about reveals the uniqueness that is ‘us’. Passion ignites giftedness and causes us to live out who we are~~ in the ‘image’ and ‘likeness’ of God. 

All passion is measured in “the passion of Christ” (read Isaiah 53).  Passion called Jesus to earth to live the exemplary life. And it called the Son of Man to the cross to make the ultimate sacrifice. Of course, His expression of passion is the most extreme in history. The more extreme and the more expressed that passion becomes; the more unbearable life seems without it. It reminds us that if passion dies or is denied, we are partly dead and that soon, come what may, we will be wholly so.  

Passion; unlike the major portion of life’s experiences, brings about change. But it is change that seems like a cruel joke apart from the virtue and spiritual fruit of patience. “The changes I bring about in passion come about slowly. Passion; on the one hand hurries you and at the same time makes life a series of deliberate acts. 

Passion calls you deeper and deeper into ‘My’ story. The more you attempt to hold on to your confidence in the goodness of the story I am telling while at the same time acknowledging all that is bewildering and maddening and shatteringly disappointing in this life, the more you will be confronted with the ongoing moment of decision, to passionately trust or not to trust. Only in dark nights will hope burn bright enough to sustain your faith and release your love. 

Impulse and passion are the very life-blood of all action. The challenge of growth, and ultimately maturity, is to learn to strike the balance between impulse and passion. This challenge will frustrate you to the point of desiring and settling for nothing short of Divine Intervention. 

Passion will open your eyes and let what you see drive you to the precipice of unbelief. It will also let what you feel bring you to the brink of despair. Passion reminds us that Jesus exists, that He is good, that His story loves us, and that His plan is on course. His Spirit will continually speak into those deep places of our hearts that only terrifying doubt renders accessible. And in that place, He will anchor you in hope! 

Arms Open Wide by Misty Edwards brings Passion in focus!
What does love look like? Is the question I’ve been pondering
What does love look like?
What does love look like? is the question I’ve been asking of You
Once believed that love was romance, just a chance
I even thought that love was for the lucky and the beautiful
I once believed that love was a momentary bliss, but love is more than this
All You ever wanted was my attention
All You ever wanted was love from me
All You ever wanted was my affections to sit here at Your feet and tell me
What does love look like? Is the question I’ve been pondering
What does love look like? If all of life comes down to love then tell me
What does love look like? Is the question I’ve been pondering
What does love look like?
Then I sat down a little frustrated and confused
Your fire of life comes down to love. And love has to be more than sentiment,
More than selfishness and selfish gain
Then I saw Him there
Hanging on a tree, looking at me
I saw Him there
Hanging on a tree, looking at me
He was looking at me looking at Him, staring through me
I could not escape those beautiful eyes
And I began to weep and weep
He had arms wide open, heart exposed
Arms wide open, He was bleeding, bleeding.
Arms wide open, heart exposed
Arms wide open, He was bleeding, bleeding
Loves definition
Loves definition, was looking at me
Looking at Him. Hanging on a tree
I began to weep and weep and weep and weep
This is how I know what love is.

And as I sat there, weeping, crying, those beautiful eyes
Full of desire and love. And He said to me
You shall love Me...You shall love Me.
With arms wide open, heart exposed
With arms wide open, bleeding, sometimes bleeding
You shall love Me… You shall love Me.
If anybody’s looking for love in all the wrong places
If you’ve been searching for love, come to Me. Come to me.
Take up your cross. Deny yourself.
Forget your father’s house and run. Run with Me.
Cause you were made for abandon your heart and listen
Cause you were made for Someone greater, Someone bigger, so follow Me.
And you’ll come alive when you learn to die.
And He said to me
You shall love Me. You shall love Me
With arms wide open, heart exposed
With arms wide open, bleeding, sometimes bleeding

These lyrics touch the heart of "Passion and Spiritual Intimacy"—a passion and intimacy few ever allow their selves to risk. Lose yourself, your religious inhibitions and the worldly filth of gross distortions of our God given ability to relate to Jesus with all of who we are in Him-we are "Passionate, spiritual beings" in Jesus! Worship means to “Kiss toward!”

In the grip of Papa’s passionate love, Ron Ross