Devotion: Passion
Take a moment to read the scripture passages from the weekend: Song of Solomon 8:6-7 & 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
What is your passion? Do you have a strong emotion or boundless enthusiasm for something or someone? After so many years of waiting, you might answer, the Kansas City Chiefs, or the Huskers, or perhaps you lean towards the arts or travel. Warren Buffet says, “Without passion, you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.” Our scripture says, “…for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.”
Where does passion come from? According to Daniel Goleman’s book we’ve been studying, deep inside your brain, you have an amygdala that triggers passion and how you respond to stimuli. If your Emotional Intelligence is evolved, you can handle passion appropriately. As a former Middle School teacher, I witnessed many levels of EQ!
This week is all about LOVE. It seems everyone is telling us how to show our love by buying just the right thing for our Valentine. But what lasts longer than those gifts? To have a lasting relationship with Christ, we need to develop a passion to know, love and become like Christ. I am sure Paul knew nothing about the amygdala, but God did. Paul gave us the perfect instructions for developing a lasting love in 1 Corinthians 13. It tells us what to do and what not to do: Kindness vs. arrogance, truth vs. wrongdoing, and adult vs. childish behavior. Paul was trying to teach the Corinthians to show love to their diverse community of slaves, free, Gentiles, converts, Jews and powerful leaders, all wishing to drink of one Spirit. It would not be easy work. It will not be easy for us either. You might find that same divisiveness in your home, community or nation. Remember Paul’s words, “…and the greatest of these is love.”
Dear God, thank You for loving us first. Help us to respond with love to everyone we meet. Let us be examples of You. Amen
Written by Cindy Swanson
Cindy and her husband, Ray, have been members of Sheridan Lutheran Church since 1978. They have 3 sons, Ben, Andrew and Patrick who were confirmed at Sheridan. They enjoy spending time with their 4 grandchildren (ages 2-7). Cindy retired from teaching writing to middle schoolers for Lincoln Public Schools in 2014. She savors a good cup of coffee, a well-written book, a lively discussion and chocolate. She lives near a cemetery and knows each day is a gift!