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Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of m·agine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.
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It's an unusual word. With unlikely origins.
Passion describes an energy and depth of emotion that is more sophisticated than mere enthusiasm--at least as "enthusiasm" is commonly understood. (Although, the word "enthusiasm" itself has compelling origins; we'll leave that discussion, however, for another time.)
Long before the word "passion" was used to describe an intense, compelling emotion and its expression, the word was used to portray suffering, as in "the Passion of Christ."
But what does the intriguing quality of passion have in common with the suffering of the Passion? Allow me to suggest three commonalities: value, voluntary, vulnerability. . .
The first shared quality of passion and the Passion
is a strong, personal attachment to something of value.
For example, Jesus had compelling values around
deliverance, healing, restorative justice, and reconciliation--values he
shared with his Father. I personally have strong attachments to the game of baseball and its historic legacy, to home, and to the core values of the Kingdom of God--and its King. (By the way, not necessarily in that order.) These are my compelling values, or passions.
The second
shared quality of passion and the Passion
is that the devotion to the object of our passion is voluntary,
rather than compulsory.
Jesus, in anticipation of his death--His Passion, declared, "No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own initiative" (John 10:18). Incidentally, a disciple of Jesus can echo his Lord's testimony, "No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own initiative." When a man chooses to "lay down his life of his own initiative," he powerfully chooses to serve from a place of love--and, potentially, a place of passion, rather than from a place of fear and of compulsion.
The third
shared quality of passion and the Passion
is a willingness around personal vulnerability.
From the perspective of many, vulnerability is a sign of fear and weakness, rather than of courage and strength. But, listen to the apostle Paul's testimony of the vulnerability of Jesus: "...who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped [i.e., something to which He must selfishly, desperately cleave, MF], but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8). What demanded greater courage and strength of character from Jesus? To retain the very nature of God, or to make himself nothing and to assume the very nature of a servant?
So...how can we become men and women of passion? A strong, personal attachment to something of personal, intrinsic value; the devotion to the object of our passion is voluntary, rather than compulsory; and, a willingness around personal vulnerability.
Are you a man, a woman, of passion? What intrinsic values are the source of your passion? Are they of value in service to the larger community?
What hinders your passion? Have you powerfully, voluntarily chosen values of your own initiative, or have they been imposed upon you by another? What would it look like to powerfully own your values?
What is your push back, if any, to becoming vulnerable? How, from your point of view, does vulnerability show up in you? Or not?
What, would you make up, is the relationship between the following three words, or qualities, that share the same root: passion, compassion, patience?
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Michael Fox
m·agine!
530/613.2774
P.O. Box 9144
Auburn, CA, USA 95604
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In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m·agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models: Values, Vision, Voice and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength.
Michael's books include Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook, and Biblio·files.
Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.
View our archives!
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