Passion

Hello everyone!

How are you all doing? I am writing this e-mail in place of doing actual HW. I am at Starbucks with Emme and I just found out that my 10 page research paper isn’t due until May 7 (rather than this Thursday, like I originally thought), so I figured I could spare the time and write this a day early. Hope this doesn’t throw off your perfectly fashioned routine. =D

My mind has been all over the place these short days following last Friday’s meeting. Thoughts of passion, of forgiveness, of unfaltering love, of diligence (… etc.) have bombarded my mind. Glimpses and instances of humble service, and considerate fellowship have rehearsed themselves in my head combining into a sort of Christian utopia. Then BAM… the supposed “reality” sinks in. The lewd and lascivious (public) billboard averts my attention. The “religion” class riddled with Godlessness and evolution permeates the constructs of my intellect. Confusion, apathy, helplessness, complacency… (yadda, yadda, yadda.) settle in. It’s a vicious cycle, I tell ya.

I can’t help but wonder how what we spoke about last Friday is related to all this. Can you imagine the impact that our church alone would make in this society if we were all gung-ho (i.e. passionate) towards our relationship with Christ? Do you understand the gravity and vastness of that question? Really, think about it. Think about what that entails. Passion is the manifestation of our acknowledgement and surrender to Christ’s actions on the cross. A passionate relationship with Christ is the constant realization that we need to imitate Christ, and that our best efforts fall drastically short. It is a joyous revelation coupled with an element of ineptness and unworthiness.

I kept thinking and thinking, though… (I have a long drive =P). Why? Why must we constantly have that aspect of unworthiness as an integral part of relationship with God? Why? … Epiphany!

We must always have that “woe to me” factor (as Isaiah 6 puts it) because it humbles us and forces to rely on God and His sovereignty. Notice how Isaiah reacts when he was faced with the apparent frailty and incompetence: “‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.’" (Isaiah 6:5) He immediately took notice of his frailty and his incompetence. But also, he was aware of the shortcomings of his culture – of the people around him.

An angel then approached him; the seraph removed his guilt and atoned for his sins by cleansing his lips with burning coal (foreshadowing Jesus). What did Isaiah then do?: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’" (Isaiah 6:8).

His realization led to action; an action that impacted both himself and the culture with which he resided.

So I ask again, can you imagine the impact that our church alone would make in this society if we were passionate towards our relationship with Christ? This impact rests on your shoulders. I cannot do anything to make you more passionate towards God. I can only live my life in accordance with how I know Christ wants me to. But I am sure of this: living passionately is a choice. It is a decision you must make NOW! Do not settle for a second-rate religion when you can have a genuine, no holds barred relationship. “Choose this day whom you will serve!”

Well, as for this Friday… Same Bat time, same Bat channel (You are awesome if you get that reference!). We are doing something rather special and unique. I do not want to spoil it via e-mail, though. But, as I say every week, please make it a priority to be there.

I am praying for you,

MTI