Mindful Passion


by Paul Boeker, Editor At a recent get-acquainted lunch, we


invited new attenders to tell us what their passion was. Tat passion question has al- ways been a hard one for me. I’m a generalist,


not focused on one sport, one cause, one mission. Last week I fixed a dryer, mentored a man, developed a Bible lesson, went for a couple of walks, read an archaeological journal, edited manu- scripts, and vacuumed the living room floor. So I was a little intimidated by the question “What is your pas-


sion” and thought maybe I should have one. Indeed, the sermons I’ve heard about having a passion have always leſt me feeling a little guilty. I decided to see what the Bible said. I discovered that “A


tranquil heart is life to the body,/But passion is rottenness to the bones” (Prov. 14:30 NASB). All New Testament references were equally negative. Paul commands “Put to death … passion” (Col. 3:5). Tat forbidden passion is the strong emotion that urges us to sin. Whew! What a relief! I don’t have to have a passion! But Te Holy Bible, King James Version, has one positive


reference to passion. Acts 1:3 says “[Apostles] … To whom also he shewed himself alive aſter his passion by many infallible proofs ….” Jesus’ passion was his period of suffering (Greek pathos), as dictionaries explain. Tis is the passion we celebrate during Holy Week and Good


Friday. Jesus was willing to suffer for us — to take the punish- ment we deserved so that we could be set free from the penalty and bondage to sin. Tis is the passion we point to as evidence of God’s love for us. So perhaps the question we should be asking is not “What’s


your passion?” but “Do you know about Jesus’ passion?” Perhaps we should echo Paul’s focus: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV). Tis Passion Week, make sure you understand Jesus’ pas- sion, and be ready to tell others about it. Happy Resurrection Day!


readersWRITE For many years Fellowship Focus has not had room to include any letters from you, the reader. But beginning with the May/June issue, space has been set aside for a few letters in each issue. To be published, letters must concern an article published in


the Focus within the past 12 months. Letters must be brief (150 words), and to-the-point. Letters must include the writer’s name and address. All letters will be edited and may be shortened. Writ- ers will be notified before their letters are published. Letters can be emailed to fellowshipfocus@febcministries.


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Correction: In “Former Director with the Lord,” January/February 2017, page 5, the last two sentences should read: “Hugh passed away December 19, 2016. He is mourned by his wife, Carol, and three sons.”


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4 Fellowship Focus, March/April 2017 FellowshipForward.org


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