"Passion" or "Habit"

There are few things in my life that are not dictated by a routine or at least a habit.  I like eating the same foods, wearing the same clothes, even spending time in the same places and with the same people... These familiar things provide comfort and establish a bit of normalcy and control to an otherwise uncontrollable life. 

Habit is defined as a "settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up" 

The original meaning of the word was directly connected to some sort of dress, garment, or attire... so when we say we have a "habit of going to bed late" we are taking on the raiment of that practice... it is ingrained into who we are... not unchangeable, but comfortable... sometimes harmful, other times beneficial, and even at times both...

So where does "passion" fit in this discussion?   We have all heard different definitions of the word and idea of "passion"   It is often understood as a strong and barely controllable emotion... something that causes outbursts of emotion... an intense desire or enthusiasm for something... even a more popular definition that has been in Christian circles recently as the "suffering and death of Jesus"    

There is a magnetism that resonates from a life that intertwines and marries these two words together in a vibrant and unconditional pursuit of Jesus Christ.  It says in John 1:1-5 that

 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it"

This passage is so very rich with the love and passion of Christ.  He resonates through us... His Light gives us life... nothing... no one was, is, or will be without first coming from Him... He is the ultimate beginning and the triumphant end... the only Christ, the only God who exists... and He is beautiful and those who deny Him, who reside in darkness cannot comprehend Him... 

Fortunately Jesus revealed Himself through scripture, through real life experiences, and ultimately through His passion, His death and resurrection.  His complete and full forgiveness... He illuminated Himself as the Light of men... where darkness cannot reside....  

It is like a garment... a habit... a raiment that shines brighter than anything that you can ever imagine... Let's do something together, after you read this close your eyes for a moment... and just picture yourself clothed with the Light of Christ... whatever that looks like or feels like... capture it, remember it, write it down, sing about it, soak up the love of Christ that has always been, is now, and will always be... show us the measure of your grace...

I want this for you, for me, for everyone... although I am sometimes clouded by my "other" habits... those things that I take upon myself that can sometimes cover the Light of men... of Christ... strip off those harmful habits, seek after Christ and come back to your origins... 

So today I pray that I can worship God fully confident and clothed in His Light... with an intense desire and enthusiasm for Him, something that I can barely control or contain... something that cannot be and will not be removed or covered... I am running back to the beginning, to the renewal and revelation of Christ Light, who I was created to be... 

All other "passions" or "habits" are powerless without Him...

Walk with Christ

Blessings,

Sam