You are God’s Passion

By Jodi Whisenhunt –

Three teen girls giggled late into the eve of youth camp. They talked of hairstyles and makeup, fashion trends and boys. Ah yes, boys! Carly already had a boyfriend and Cyndi was shy, so the question hanging in the air alighted upon Me.

“So who do you like?”

Without hesitation, “Richard Whisenhunt,” escaped my lips. We didn’t know each other well. In fact, he was more a friend of my brother’s than of mine, but an overwhelming peace sifted through my entire being that assured me he was It. I knew in that moment Richard would be my life mate, and the spark of passion ignited.

Twenty-seven years have passed since that night, and as you can guess from my last name, I married Richard Whisenhunt. When my husband is passionate about something, he becomes almost obsessive. Take for instance, cycling.

Inspired by Lance Armstrong’s seventh Tour de France victory, Richard began road bicycling. Let me tell you that’s a world of its own, and Richard dove right in. Through trial and error, he learned proper riding techniques, assembled top performance components, and learned necessary maintenance workings. He rode with experienced riders, studied online and print tips, and asked lots of questions. Oh yeah, and he rode (and still rides) an average of two hours a day, trekking thirty to forty miles or more each ride. Occasionally, he participates in pay or charity rides, and recently he took up racing. Riding is Richard’s passion. Through dedication to the sport, he has become confident and masterful.

For nearly nineteen years, without hesitation, I have been honored to say, “I am Richard Whisenhunt’s wife.” An overwhelming peace still permeates my soul in knowing he is It. I’m awed by my husband’s commitment and I’m inspired by his passion. But even his devotion does not compare to that of our Lord!

Did you know that you are God’s passion? It is His great desire that none should be lost; that all should be saved by His grace. He knows you inside and out. In fact, He knew you before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5)! He searches your heart. He studies you. He sees when you sit and when you rise. He perceives your thoughts. He knows your comings and goings. And He is there with you wherever you go. The depths cannot separate you; darkness cannot hide you (Psalm 139). He rejoices over you with gladness and singing (Zephaniah 3:17). As my friend Gina told me, He is crazy for you!

I am no longer a giggling teenager, but I do get giddy when I think of how God loves me. A few days ago, I awoke from a restless night with Matthew West’s “More” running through my head. What peace overcame me to know my Father loves me more than the sun and the stars that He taught how to shine, that I am His, and I shine for Him too. He loves me more yesterday and today and tomorrow. I am His passion! And so are you.

Next time you dive full-force into a project, assignment or hobby and you feel the drive and the desire ignite, be awed by the Lord’s commitment and inspired by His passion…for you. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).