City Love

One beautiful night this past summer my girlfriends and I were sitting outside having a drink and talking about life (basically, just like every other night last summer..). But, as we sat and talked about future plans I couldn’t help thinking that I just didn’t seem to get as excited about anything as Melissa does about Nursing, Rebecca about Literature, or Kristi about Social Justice.  So, as we talked and in my frustration I vented to them: “I just don’t have a passion.” They, of course, jumped to my defense (cause they’re awesome friends!), and refused to believe that statement. We talked about my love for baking or for music. One of them even said, “Sure you do! God is your passion.” Now, I know that’s supposed to be a really honorable thing that she said and I am truly appreciative of the comment. But, as I linger on the subject a little more… I remain a little unsettled.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that they didn’t probably intend what I’m about to write, but because I’m the queen of over-analyzation, I’m going to write it anyway. (sorry, ladies…). 

I am passionate about the Lord, and I pray that it’s as apparent as my friend stated. But, it’s not a passion like baking a cake, curling up with a good book, or even winning a case against a child abuser. All of these are great things and I love that my friends are so passionate about them, but really, in comparison to our God, they’re more like hobbies. I used to think that God was just a separate category of my life. I had my school category, my friend category, my family category, my work category, and then my religion category. As I started learning more about who God is and what He has done for me, I realized that He is much to large to be put in my “religion category,” but that He transcends into all aspects of my life. I desire to be passionate about the Lord, but not just when I’m sitting in Church or Bible Study, but when I’m hanging out with my friends, when I’m sitting at my computer, or when I’m relaxing with my family. I desire to be passionate about the Lord as a teacher, a baker, a translator, a social worker, or wherever else the Lord leads me. I do desire to have a vocational passion beyond just my love for the Lord, and I’m praying that He reveals His will for my life. But for now, I’m trusting in my One Great Love.

God is not my hobby. He’s not just something I pick up when I’m bored. He’s not just that part of my life on Sundays. He IS my life. He is my hope, my peace, my comfort, my love, my joy, my righteousness, my friend.

I hope He’s yours, too.