Why Christians Fear Passion
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Since the first launch of my ebook on Karen Ehman’s blog and sharing my testimony as part of “A Confident Heart” study at Renee Swope’s last Friday, my “normal” world has been shaken a bit. Opportunities to minister in new, exciting ways have opened up. For this I am ever so grateful and privileged by God.
However, with all the excitement and encouragement over my ebook,”The Sensational Scent of Prayer”, released 2 weeks and 2 days ago and #1 on Amazon in its category, and the wonderful opportunity to show what God has done and is doing in my family’s life, there have been a few darts thrown my way as well. Well, maybe more than a few.
The darts- they are from good, well-meaning Christians. People whom I believe have good intentions, but the wrong focus.
You see, with making yourself vulnerable, you have to take a risk- a risk to be passionate. You have to be passionate about what God has done for you. You have to be willing to tell the stories that perhaps those who are rulekeepers will not approve of. You have to be willing to say, “God impressed on my heart…” to those who believe that God doesn’t speak to people- or only in rare cases. You have to be willing to focus strictly on what God has asked you to do and be, not what others think you should be or approve of.
Passion takes risks- but Holy Spirit-led risks. Christian passion doesn’t clock in on Sunday morning and out on Sunday afternoon. Christian passion fans the flame of Holy Spirit fuel on the heart and takes every step towards what you believe in, whether those beliefs seem acceptable to others or not. Whether others like it or not. Whether people love it or not.
Today I came to the conclusion that Christians fear passion. We don’t want to be radical life-changers, that might cause friction. We don’t want to stand out in our circles, because people will think we are weird.
We fear passion because it makes us abnormal.
Can I just tell you that Jesus was abnormal? He was born in a manger. Nothing normal about that. He didn’t have a home. That’s pretty weird. He spoke in stories that the religious leaders of his day couldn’t comprehend. That seems strange. And one of the biggest issues the religious leaders hated about Jesus? His passion. His love for others. Him calling himself God.
John 2 gives two examples of Jesus’ passion. The first? Turning water into wine at the wedding- Jesus’ first recorded miracle! And the second? Flipping over the money changers tables in the temple in anger. After these two stories, the Bible says:
Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” John 2:17 NLT
Passion for God’s house has consumed me too.
Are you reading this for the same reason?
Why do you think Christians fear passion?
Rachel – As I read your post I recognize a pioneer, and one cutting a path for others. Your passion and boldness will encourage many to step out, hear, and follow the leading of the Spirit. There is more than a little warfare that comes as you follow this way … those darts have a poison tip! May God Himself strengthen and establish you.
Blessings from a fellow pioneer,
Barb
Thank you, Barb!
Rachel –
Loved this post! You are an encouragement to those of us upon whom God has impressed a desire to “live-out-loud” and take a risk in doing His will! The fear of criticism seems to be a “tool of choice” for Satan, knowing our weakspots so well (often better than we know them ourselves). I have loved watching you bloom in your niche, and hope that all of us will remember, as we seek to do God’s will through our lives, that those who are critical, hostile, judgemental are not His target – it is those who “get it”, who’s lives we impact for His glory, who are blessed by our actions that are the aim. Blessings to you and your family – Proud to be your sister in Christ!!
Kim
You are so right, Kim! Thank you for your encouragement; it means so very much to me.
Evenin’ Rachel,
I love this question…. God is making me holy, {in His image} and unafraid of passion! Jesus is our BEST example of this, as you shared. The amazing part of it is that He left His Holy Spirit with us! Keep letting His perfect Spirit prompt you, and grow in Faith, Hope, Love…. PASSION for His glory! ~ Blessings sister, Amy
I believe you’re right on, Rachel. I’ve feared passion in the past because it meant I would have to take a stand: to stick out on issues or in my actions. I feared being wrong or right and in some ways both. I feared criticism and praise–any way I would draw attention to myself.
However, I became a stagnant Christian in my fear, and as difficult as it has been, I’m no longer willing to be that Sunday-only, quiet Christian in the corner. God showered me with His radical love, and I want to share it with the world! I just pray I can be His voice, and not default to my own.
You go, girl, and continue to spread the passion and continue to be consumed by it!
Good thoughts. Christians fear passion because for so long we’ve been taught perfection. A friend and I were just talking about this last night. We all act we’re still in high school and somebody is going to ding our rep if we show any sort of passion or fire for God. Seriously? I’m over 40 and I, for one, am not in high school anymore. For pete’s sake – what can anyone do to me anymore. I can’t be put into jail. Nobody is going to beat me. No one is going to come to my house and harm my family if I speak out. Really, enough is enough. Be bold. Be passionate. Be authentic. Be a Jesus Freak and wear the label with holy pride. Exalt the King of the Universe!!
oh wow. so true. Having to be “perfect” is definitely a reason we fear passion. I know there are still fanatics that give Jesus a bad rep, but why can’t there be good fanatics? Simply Christians who show Jesus’ love in radical ways. Thanks for your encouragement!
Thank you so much! God uses you to speak to my heart so often! Thank you.
Thank you dear Nancy!