Where Did All the Passion Go? - Part 1

Fire All Your Arrows!

Recently I spoke with a British pastor in England who has found raising people’s passions something of a challenge.

I have wondered if this ties into the island’s natural temperament? After all, many describe the English as “reserved”, and perhaps that explains why we do not get too passionate about God. I have certainly thought this for a while, but now I am not too sure.

An old joke about the British and religion will demonstrate the national stereotypes and how that links with our relationship with God. It is said that religion is popular in the UK.

The reason being that the English like it because they can talk about it, the Welsh like it because they can sing about it, the Northern Irish like it because they can fight about it and the Scottish like it because it is free.

It could be said that each nation gets somewhat passionate about religion and it overspills into national stereotypes (rightly or wrongly). While three nations sing, fight or get it for free the English are singled out for just talking.

You may think I am making too much of an old joke, but most stereotypes are based in some measure of truth. The general consensus being that the English are not a passionate people, not easily excited, not very demonstrative in their emotions and all of these are amplified in regards to religion.

But the problem of raising people’s passions for God is not a British problem, it is people problem. For where you have people you will certainly have problems raising passions for God. Even in the most excessive “amen’ing” churches in the USA you can still find true passion lacking. Maybe you will have more noise, maybe a few jumping up and down thumping their Bibles, but sadly that can just be a performance, something you do at church. I am not making any judgments or criticisms, I am just making the point that a lack or an excess of outward reaction does not equate to a lack or an abundance of passion for God.

Passion for God is not measured by what we do for 45 minutes Sunday morning, it is measured by how we live our lives moment by moment.

• Are we passionate about obeying God?


• Are we passionate about reading His Word?


• Are we passionate about singing His praises?


• Are we passionate about prayer?


• Are we passionate about witnessing?


• Are we passionate about world evangelism?

Now, let us return to the British Isles and consider the supposed lack of passion.

Do football supporters lack passion? No, they can often tell you football results from 10 years ago. Do movie fans lack passion? No, they will travel hours to see a famous actor or remember meaningless facts from hundreds of films. Do pop fans lack passion? No, they will sing along and party for hours at a time in a concert. Do political pundits lack passion? No, they will canvas neighbourhoods with political positions

So, the passion is there, it is just lacking in one place that matters, people’s relationship with God and their service in their local church.

Lastly, we should not confuse passion with excitement. A person’s life will conform to its passions; excitement is for the moment.

We need to consider what our passions our and perhaps discover them by what is shaping our lives.

The Lord willing I will follow this post up with one other, How to Get Passionate About God. (If you are wondering about that first phrase, Fire All Your Arrows, well, you will just have to read the next post.)