Passion

[Gaelina]

Main Entry: pas·sion·ate 
Pronunciation: \ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət\
Function: adjective
Date: 15th century
1 a: easily aroused to anger b: filled with anger : angry
2 a: capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling b: enthusiastic , ardent
3: swayed by or affected with sexual desire
synonyms see impassioned
— pas·sion·ate·ly adverb
— pas·sion·ate·ness noun

Main Entry: 1feel·ing 
Pronunciation: \ˈfē-liŋ\
Function: noun
Date: 12th century
1 a (1): the one of the basic physical senses of which the skin contains the chief end organs and of which the sensations of touch and temperature are characteristic : touch (2): a sensation experienced through this sense b: generalized bodily consciousness or sensation c: appreciative or responsive awareness or recognition
2 a: an emotional state or reaction <a kindly feeling toward the boy> bplural : susceptibility to impression : sensitivity <the remark hurt her feelings>
3 a: the undifferentiated background of one's awareness considered apart from any identifiable sensation, perception, or thought b: the overall quality of one's awareness c: conscious recognition : sense
4 a: often unreasoned opinion or belief : sentiment b: presentiment
5: capacity to respond emotionally especially with the higher emotions
6: the character ascribed to something : atmosphere
7 a: the quality of a work of art that conveys the emotion of the artist b: sympathetic aesthetic response
8: feel 4

Main Entry: 1feel 
Pronunciation: \ˈfēl\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): felt  \ˈfelt\ ; feel·ing
Etymology: Middle English felen, from Old English fēlan; akin to Old High German fuolen to feel, Latin palpare to caress
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality b: to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)
2 a: to undergo passive experience of b: to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by
3: to ascertain by cautious trial —usually used with out
4 a: to be aware of by instinct or inference b: believe , think <say what you really feel>
intransitive verb
1 a: to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation b: to search for something by using the sense of touch
2 a: to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition b: to have a marked sentiment or opinion <feels strongly about it>
3: seem <it feels like spring today>
4: to have sympathy or pity <I feel for you>
— feel like : to have an inclination for <feel like a walk?>

I am too much like the Apostle Peter.

Everyone, at some point in there lives has a strong desire, an intense urge to be something more than a mere human going about the daily activities of life. Some feel it more that others. Each feel it in different ways and it leads them to do different things.

We see it in movies all the time. It's why characters like Superman and Batman remain. It's why movies like LOTR and Twilight and Boondock Saints and Gladiator get high ratings. It's why men and women join the Marines or people become surgeons and criminals become murderers.

The need to feel important. Something more than just another person. Some find that fullfilled in people. Girls run around from guy to guy trying to find that one that makes their stars shatter and their life worth living. They want to feel the passion of love. Guys play video games that murder countless people, demons, etc or they excell at some sport, ever pursuing that spot that shows they are the best. Children pretend to be super heroes or cling to thier parents for the slightest amount of praise. 

We need awknowlegement, we need to know that we are more than simply another person. That we arent a number on a piece of paper that says we were born on such and such day at such and such time. Our actions and thoughts matter. We are strong and smart and better at something than someone else.

Then something shows us that we are simply ourselves and we perceve that as worthless or unimportant or just not as good as the next guy. And the emotional cycle throws us down the hole of dispair. We then desire that something will happen that will push us to a point where we have to show who and what truly we are. That hidden potential that can only be achieved when we are pushed to it. We are mighty. We dream of going beyond our limits. But those dreams turn into negativity and a demon is born within us and our thoughts seep from the well of evil intentions and people like Syndrom from the Incredibles are born. We are bent on proving ourselves as better and we create scenarios to facilitate it.

Passion isn't bad. Feelings aren't bad. But they things they can lead you to do may not be if you let them be master. By all means, feel. Intensely. Ardently, completely but be aware that they are feelings and not truth. Truth is much more than a perception, a feeling, or a single thought.

The truth is that we are each unique and special and loved by a God who designed us all with specific intentions. None of us are alike. We have similarities and differences but no one is exactly like us and no one is better at being you than you. No, we cannot fly without the aid of machines. We aren't all blessed with the Wisdom of Solomon. We do not have the strength of Hercules and we don't have to battle the hunger to suck the blood out of mortal we have fallen for. Those are epic and what you feel is no less for lacking in fanciful descriptions. Your have the ability to feel for a reason. It's part of life. Given to you from a God who has quite a few passionate outburts of feelings Himself. They are there to drive you toward that importance you crave but dont yet recognise.

So many people are lost. Stuck in the rut that something material must fill that void within them. Somthing material will sate that hunger that seems will tear them asunder.  Nothing earthly, nothing made by humans hands will fill you, will stop the emotional surge, or bring you to a high beyond that which you could ever imagine more than letting Gods love fill you. You can have an intensity beyond your dreams. Feel ardent passion beyond imagination. The potency that comes from a God filled life is right in front of us but we run from it. We run from it because we want the thrill but not the responsibilty. Don't get me wrong. It's free. It's a gift. But like the new bike you got for your birthday or the Wii your honey gave you you must take care of it. Like finding the woman or man of your dreams and deciding to marry them it doesnt end there. Once you say 'I do' it's not a permanant holiday. It takes effort, work, sacrifice. But it's worth it. 'The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and to  be loved in return.' Indeed. But it's work. It's a conscious choice. Feelings are fleeting. Truth is forever. We have the ability to choose and with each choice, whatever it is, there is consequence. Make the choice to love. And love is of God so it's the most powerful thing you can ever do. Love is selflessness; sacrifice. Its the choice to love and continually renew those feelings. To perpetuate them that make them more than simple feelings.

In the season of Lent religious types give something up until Easter, the day of Christs resurrection. The idea behind the ritual is that you feel something small to help you understand the sacrifice Christ made for you. He gave up everything. Godhood. Life. And welcomed pain, torment, suffering, agony in a state beyond human comprehension simply to give you the choice and the ability to believe the truth and therein setting you free from sin, death, and the devil. He is love. He is sacrifice. He bore it all and in Lent some give up something close, something important for a period of time in memory, in thanks, in the desire to understand a bit more of our Saviour, of love. How passionate is that?

Intensity. Passion. Feelings. Don't ignore them. Don't label them evil and lock them away in some closet to fester. Be aware. Learn them. Think about them. Find the cause of them. Pray about them. Let them drive you to good. And to God. Let them lead you to love and to strive to understand and grow in who you are so that you can see the amazing creature you are.

Remember. You were created because someone loved you and built a world, a universe for you. You are integral. Just as you are.