Every one of us is passionate about something. It maybe as simple as doing nothing; on the other hand our intense desires could center on relationships, active compassion, or even self gratification. Usually what we end up focusing on is a mix with far more self than we care to realize or admit. In each case there is a recurring question that haunts me during most quiet moments. How much skin in this do I have? Am I willing to risk all for what I most desire? Is my passion overwhelming is merely engaging?
Far too often what we risk is nothing personal. In the living of life we fall back on the theme that everything has a price. Make a mistake, pay for it with money. Need to change the partner’s mind, how much will it take? Cannot resolve a conflict, the thought and dialogue always ends up resting in a pit of exchanging things of value.
Most of the time I find that I would like to think that money is personal, yet it just is not! Money is merely an object that represents “value” to another. The value could be gold, or shells, or any object that we could purchase with the currency. The U.S. dollar has the statement that “in God we trust” while noting that the obligation is that of the government, many other forms of money do not even get this close! Other than the attachment we place on forms of paper and metal there is little that directly ties or links what is essentially a contractual obligation to you or I personally.
The question comes back to our passion. How do you or I realize its full potential in our life and those around us? John gave us the clear answer.
“They (God’s representatives) defeated him (Evil, Self) through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren’t in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ.” (Revelation 12.10)
God’s blood and our witness passionately intertwined, without restraint. This is winning big-time!
