Igniting Spiritual Passion
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. ”
I love Eli Wiesel’s quote. Indifference is all around us. Indifference is a rot that slithers into our hearts, minds, and souls, and softens our virtue. Over time indifference leaves us incapable of standing up for what we believe in, because we are no longer capable of having a belief system. Indifference takes joy from us like a ruptured vein leaving the body empty of blood. An indifferent person is empty and of little value.
Nurturing a person’s faith requires us to cut out any form of indifference, like a surgeon who removes a cancer from the body. Then, the wind of the Holy Spirit can blow through the person and ignite her/his life. I was amazed, when visiting an elementary school, that already I could see indifference in some of their young attitudes. You see it in the way they ignore a teacher’s request, or show no interest in learning. As the faithful in the Church bring joy to the young person’s soul, respect for elders grows, interest in their education increases, and inner happiness expresses itself.
The difference between a healthy spiritual person, or a church for that matter, and one that is in decline, is the level of indifference. Having passion – something to live for – allows the human soul to ignite. Passion breeds more passion. The Holy Spirit cannot ignite a cold soul, but even the slightest spark will allow the God of the Hebrews’ ruach to blow on the soul, like a person blowing on the embers to ignite a raging fire.
In your life, what times did the Holy Spirit ignite a raging fire in your soul? Were there moments when your soul felt indifferent? What was it that reignited your soul after a season of indifference? Pray for those you love, and those God puts into your path. Ask God to provide ways for you to be a conduit for the Spirit’s flame. Trust God to light a spark in your life and in those around you. Ask God to bring passion to your life, by igniting passion in others.
