When Passion Lacks Direction

At some point in your life, you have likely enjoyed blowing up a balloon only to release it before tying the knot to contain the air. The air in the balloon is forced out of the hole, propelling it forward. However, because a balloon isn’t very aerodynamic and doesn’t have wings and ailerons, its rapid flight takes any and every direction until the balloon loses all air and falls to the floor. It is fun to watch for entertainment but certainly not a prototype of anything that I would use to transport me at some point in the future.

By contrast, I think about the multi-million (or billion?) dollar spacecraft that are launched by NASA. Highly trained engineers work for months to make a spacecraft to very precise specifications with defined guidance mechanisms. Consequently, the shuttle has a high probability of flying in a very specified path as it is thrust from our atmosphere with phenomenal force.

The difference between the flight path of the balloon versus the space shuttle lies in actually having a focal point and in using various defined components and constraints to direct the use of the propulsion.

Passion (heightened fervency) in the Christian life is like a form of propulsion. At times, we feel more compelled by our obligations or hungrier to know God. We have times of increased awareness of our need and a commensurate increase in searching for the solution. We might say at such times that we are “passionately seeking” or “fervently serving” God. In such times, it is important that we have certain guides in place so that our passion is best directed toward actual Biblical growth and productivity.

What is the relation between passion and revival?   

Revival could be defined as “a realignment with God’s design for life” or “a restoration of the relationship that one was designed to have with God.” A revival is likely accompanied by (though not synonymous with) a heightened awareness of one’s need and an acute desire to grow closer to God.

However, passion is not a realistic expectation of every moment of daily life. Once the “realignment” has taken place, the passion may ebb and flow. Faithfulness is not dependent upon passion. Once the life is realigned or the relationship restored, passion is to some extent replaced by principle. What began with an emotional drive must be sustained by conviction.

As I consider the recent happenings at Asbury University, I note a perception of “passion.” It also seems that it has drawn some of the Pentecostal or Charismatic persuasion or, more generally, those who are more emotionally expressive in their “worship.” There was – in the interpretation of some – the confrontation of a demon. According to one tweet, even “queer students” were leading worship. Laura Levens, writing for Baptist News Global, “learned that a few days earlier, a student wrote a prayer for acceptance of the sacred worth of queer students . . . .”(source)  (She also makes the alarming admission that “This revival is not preaching laden. On the contrary, it seems almost preaching averse.”) One student, in rejoicing of what “God is doing,” commented specifically on a physical cloud that rested over the city. I am struck by the general ambiguity of what is happening. It is touted as a “pouring out of the Holy Spirit” and a veritable revival. People have commented on the feeling of love.

To be fair, the Holy Spirit could be working in the hearts of some people, raising an awareness of their shallowness and apathy. They may be moved to “get closer to God.” But this does not legitimize the event, sanctify the tools used, or glorify the place where it is happening. It could be that God is working in the hearts of a few despite the ambiguity and confusion. It could also be true that many are being misguided and harm is being done to the name of Christianity.  Both can be true at the same time, I believe.

The happenings at Asbury are very alike (in my opinion) to the release of the inflated balloon.  People “feel the passion.” They are compelled to do something. But due to the lack of spiritual perception, doctrinal definition, or the clear sense of the goal, it is prone to driving people on a wild ride of experience (and let there be no doubt that some will defend their experience for years to come), but no one knows where it will land. Will there be a resurgence of seeking God in His Word and faithfully applying it to practice? Will there by a heightened sense of separation to God (purpose) and a repudiating of the sins of the flesh (purity)? Will there be an increased desire to boldly proclaim the good news that Jesus can and will deliver the repentant from their sin to serve Him?

Time will tell whether the passion stoked by the “Asbury Revival” will appear in hindsight to be more like the flight of the balloon than the flight of the space shuttle. I have a strong suspicion that I already know.