Dear Church Family,
I have been blessed by the universe to experience deep passion for
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whatever I am engaged in. Work, relationships, spirituality, hobbies, interests, and even politics have elicited great passion in my life. I can even get passionate about colors, sometimes I see a color in a flower, a garment or a Tiffany window and I get excited about the color - it moves me emotionally. Sometimes the passion appears to overtake me. As a quilter I would purchase many yards of fabric for projects not yet imagined - because I felt passionate about the fabric. This is a common occurrence for quilters. Our fabric stashes become enormous - more than we can possibly use in a couple of lifetimes!
As I have matured, I notice that I have become more restrained in my passions. Not that I stop experiencing the passions - I do - a yellow poppy still makes my heart sing! But as life unfolds, I find that I do not always have to demonstrate the extent of my passion. For example, in my youth I was very vocal, if not crass, in sharing my political views. Immaturely, I felt it was my duty to confront those who disagreed with me. Life changes, so do my political views, as does the respect for others who share the same views with me. I do not feel the need to change the views of anyone - people change their views when life offers them a compelling reason to reevaluate. At least it did in my life.
My passion is service. I love to make connections with you; face-to-face, eye-to-eye and usually begin and end in a hug. Because of Covid19 I have become more restrained. I can still connect face-to-face & eye-to-eye, but with a mask and 6 feet between us. Restraint informs me that my needs to be safe for my life and others.
I have a passion to express myself - I'm most comfortable in expressing through writing. I can edit, ponder, and look up words to verify their meaning. I also express myself through listening which I like to do eye-to-eye and face-to-face. Both writing and listening require restraint of projecting myself on others and communicating effectively.
I am reminded of the restraint Jesus showed throughout his ministry: The clamoring of desperate people seeking miracles and healing, the testing of the Priests over religious law, his trial with Pontius Pilate. Jesus continuously exhibited restraint.
I also think of the many spiritual teachers and masters I have encountered in person or via teachings - they often showed restraint - yet they are deeply passionate and compassionate people.
I believe that restraint used in exercising opinions, especially reactions, is way of accepting grace from the responsibility of carrying the burden of "being right." After all our sense of "right" may change in our life. Restraint from close physical encounters with others demonstrates respect for them and their family and myself and my family. And as I use restraint in my thoughts and listening to yours - I am free to listen and express clearly.
I share these thoughts about restraint to encourage you in your times of frustration to find the resolve to take a breath and ask the questions - does this thought, action, or feeling truly enhance my spirit. If I did not think, act, or feel this way would my life be better?
I'm still going to be excited when I see a yellow poppy. And overjoyed when there is a field of them. There are somethings that are impossible to restrain.
Many Blessings,
Pastor Robert