Passion and Intimacy
Devotional Encouragements #5
Years ago I was involved in a nationwide Christian student movement called Passion. The emphasis was on stirring the hearts of college students to behold the glory and renown of our Lord, so that our passion for Him would flow into a radical lifestyle of consecration and mission. Back then, participating in Passion conferences added tremendous fuel to the fire I had for the Lord, and now, I believe it is essential for each one of us to be constantly growing in our passion for God, so that we would avoid falling into lukewarmness (Rev 3:16).
My definition for passion is “an intense, violent love and yearning, for which one would accept remarkable suffering and sacrifice to attain the ultimate fulfillment of the desire.” As we are commanded to love the Lord with all our heart (Matt 22:37), all of us should be passionate lovers of God. Our call is not only to believe in God, but to love God. Also, we know that God loves each one of us passionately, much more than any amount of passion we can muster up for Him.
However, passion for God alone is not enough, because many people who are passionate for God are not intimate with God. There are many who love Him but don’t truly know Him. The end goal is not just to have passion, but to enter into intimacy. One can be passionate about a cause, an ideology, or a religion, but one can only be intimate with a person.
Intimacy requires deep, transparent, real relationship. This is why that even as Muslims can be passionate about their faith, they are unable to come into intimacy with Allah.
The purpose of our salvation in Christ is not just for us to escape death through the forgiveness of our sins, it is so that we can enter into intimacy with God. The divine invitation is not only for salvation, but for intimacy. Passion for God can be stirred up through public church events, but intimacy with God can only be cultivated in the secret place, where we meet with God one-on-one.
Passion as an emotion can vary from season to season, but intimacy is a trusting relationship that endures and perseveres.
Passion is fire, intimacy is breath, and breath is life. When God breathe life into Adam, it was an intimate face-to-face act. The first glimpse Adam saw was the face of God.
Intimacy can only be cultivated in the place of rest and privacy. When couples are too busy to spend time alone with each other, intimacy is lost. It is the same in our personal relationship with God. Without spending time resting and fellowshipping with God in the secret place, we will not become intimate with Him. Let us grow not only in our passion for God, but more importantly, let us grow in our intimate relationship with Him, so that we are able to become the mature Bride of Christ.
