Are You Passionate?

Psychologists and psychiatrists and theologians have devised many theories of human motivation. Two of the most powerful sources of human motivation -- some would say the roots of all motivation -- are pain and pleasure.

We try to avoid all types of pain and discomfort: physical pain, emotional pain (such as loneliness), mental pain (such as sensory deprivation), and social pain or discomfort (such as rejection). The behavioral mode of persons motivated by fear of pain is avoidance. Naturally, we need to avoid obvious and unnecessary pain.

Conversely, humans seek out pleasure. The word "pleasure" sometimes has a negative connotation to Christian people. However, one of the oldest statements of Christian faith is the Westminster Catechism which states, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever…” Enjoy! That would be a synonym for “take pleasure in”. The chief end of man is to glorify God and to take pleasure in Him forever! Passion for God, according to the Westminster Catechism, is the chief purpose of humankind. So, when I speak of "passion" and "pleasure", I am not referring to sensuality. Passion is the pleasure you feel about the good things in life up to and including loving God.

All of the above says this: fear of pain motivates avoidance behaviors; passion motivates seeking behaviors. Diagnose yourself: are you primarily an "avoider" or a "seeker"?

Consider the famous teaching called the “Sermon on the Mount” by Jesus. I won't include it all here because of space considerations, but in Matthew 6:25, Jesus says, “Do not worry”.

He then lists three specific things not to worry about: food, drink, clothing. These three are fundamental survival concerns of all humans. (When Jesus speaks of worry about clothing, he isn't thinking in terms of getting a new dress for Easter. He is talking about the function that clothing serves in providing basic protection from nakedness and the elements.) Discomfort, pain and death are the consequences of not having food, drink and clothing!

I see in Jesus' statement not to worry about these fundamental needs the idea that we must not allow our thoughts to be dominated by "pain-avoidance"! In verse 32, he says even more graphically, “Don’t run after these things”. In other words, don’t direct your actions into avoiding pain. What should we do then? Verse 33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…” Jesus clearly exhorts his listeners to be Seekers, not Avoiders!

If you take time to read Matthew 6: 25 -34 at some point, you will notice these additional points about passion seeking from the Sermon on the Mount:

· Verse 25: Passion Seekers conquer fears and anxieties
· Verse 25: Passion Seekers have a deep sense of priorities
· Verse 33: Passion Seekers identify and pursue their passion
· Verse 33: Passion Seekers tend to achieve both their passion and temporal rewards
· Verse 34: Passion Seekers are able to focus on the moment.

Are you seeking your destiny? Prepare to confront and conquer your inner anxieties. Determine and focus on your priorities. Identify and go after your passions.

The rewards: you will be a person focused on maximizing every moment... and you will succeed spiritually, materially and every other way.

Passion Seekers: discover your destiny!