When I was younger, passion was expressed with volume, but now that I am older, passion is expressed with depth, authority, intimacy and relational equity. Passion is an energy that needs to be expressed, but it also needs to be channeled correctly. Just like a river that is without banks floods the surrounding neighborhoods and damages peoples property, so passion without boundaries can do more harm than good.
There is a passion bubbling in the college age students in the nation. It has been stirring for over a year now, but it seems to bubbling over. It is a passion for purpose, a passion to be known for something, a passion to make an impact, it is truly a passion for the God who is all powerful, all knowing, and desiring the heart of a generation in a nation.
Some see riots and protests on campuses, but I see passion that is misdirected. Proverbs 16 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.” Violence is passion without boundaries; it is communication without self-control; it is an expression that is misdirected. I know because I was and still am passionate.
Every generation has a passion they want expressed. Some passions are quieter in their expression than others, but passion is a gift from God and it needs to be directed not squelched. In Knoxville, TN we hear of revival breaking out on campus, but in Chicago this morning riot police were on campus. There have been protests on various campuses this month, graduations shut down, all because people are expressing their passion, but not in the most effective way.
Can you hear a generation calling out for a living God or do you just see a bunch of college kids acting like hoodlums? Jesus said, He who has been forgiven much, loves much. I remember being that misdirected passionate student, but now that my passion is directed it is changing lives. Friends, this generation is like our generation. Passionate but without purpose. Remember without a vision people cast off restraint. When we see restraint being cast off on college campuses it is a cry for someone to cast a vision that will direct the passion. It is time to manifest the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, for a vision of the kingdom will direct the passion of a generation.