Monday, December 06, 2004

Passionate People

I'm still reading my book, Thriving As An Artist In The Church by Rory Noland. So you guys are going to get quotes from it; if you're not into artistic stuff, please move along -- nothing to see here! hehe

Many of us in the church have been bogged down by pressures or perfectionism for so long we don't even realize that the passion and joy of our ministry and our art have left us. If you're digging down deep these days for motivation, meaning, or joy and yet feeling like nothing is there, it's time for you to get your passion back.

Artists are, by nature, passionate people. Our feelings run deep and we tend to wear them on our sleeves. Living a life of passion, however, is more than just feeling deeply. Romans 12:11 commands us to "never be lackign in zeal." God wouldn't expect us to never be lacking in something that fully depended on whether or not we felt like it. Passion is not an emotion we should have to work up. It stems from a dedication to live the adventure God has for us and te experience the deep riches of the inner life.

Live the Adventure God Has Planned for You to Live

If you're just going through the motions as a Christian or as an artist, you're missing out on the adventure God means for you to live. Everyone needs adventure. That's why we're all fascinated by heroes and celebrities. They're doing something dramatic and thrilling with their lives...

Don't believe for a second that Christians are not allowed or are above needing adventure. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says that "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." God never intended for our lives to be drab and boring. People who try to suppress their desire for adventure easily become restless...

Sadly, people who deny their need for adventure are more likely to turn to artificial stimulants or carnality to satisfy their longings. Addictions to alcohol or pornography typically start off as attempts to dispel boredom. A college student told me the other day that he and his friends are thinking of "chucking the whole Christianity thing because it doesn't work." They had given up sex, smoking, drinking, and swearing and now felt like they were missing out on all the fun that's supposedly associated with doing those types of things. They were missing out, all right. This group of young people had never replaced the misadventures of their old lives with the scintillating adventures of their new lives in Christ. They talked about their Christianity with so little passion because for them, it lacked excitement, meaning and adventure.

The Christian life should never be reduced to a stodgy set of rules and regulations. Rather, it is a stimulating adventure that the Lord invites us into. Whether you're young or old, male or female, rich or poor, God has adventures tailor-made to suit your personality and temperament.

Rory Noland, Thriving As An Artist In The Church


I was feeling horribly bogged down just a few months ago, and I know now it was because there was an eternal sameness about my ministry -- a "settling" of things into a "this is how it's going to be FOREVER" sort of feeling. I had visions and passions, and they were squashed and inhibited by many things... one of the main things being leaders I didn't trust or respect as people. I don't think that in this case it was a matter of not wanting to afford them authority... I will gladly and even doggedly support a leader I believe is honest, authentic, and has integrity. Anyway, it was clearly time to go.

There's nothing like stepping out of the wagon ruts and striking off into uncharted territory (at God's behest) to renew one's passion and delight.

Yesterday, I wasn't on the schedule to play or sing, so I sat in the congregation for worship. I enjoyed it so much, even though I wasn't part of the production-end... it was --yes-- passionate, and excellent, and a pure delight.

I don't know the other members of the worship team well enough yet, but I yearn to be an integral part in this ministry. I'd like to come alongside them... I have no desire to be a "centerpiece", but rather an under-girding helper to encourage these people and unite my passion with theirs.

No comments: