As we discovered yesterday, the desire and the ability to achieve unity must come from God Himself. We simply aren’t capable in and of ourselves to even desire oneness, let alone accomplish it.

So where do we begin in our journey to achieve unity with others? We must begin with God. Let’s look at what God is passionate about.

• God creates – showing His passion for relationship (Psalm 139:13-15)
• God pursues – showing His passion for forgiveness (Romans 5:8)
• God redeems – showing His passion for love (John 3:16)
• God directs – showing His passion for hope (Jeremiah 29:11)

God’s overarching passion is to see His broken creation healed for His name’s sake, and His motivation is love. Because He first loved us, we can now seek to love Him with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength, and we can love others as ourselves.

Athlete, the problem is we focus on our misplaced and misdirected passions instead of on God’s holy passion of love.

What moves you, pushes you, keeps you from giving up? What is your passion? Take a minute and examine what motivates you.

Are you driven by friends, success, God, family, community, acceptance, performance, money, time, possessions, appearance, health, serving others, happiness?

If I’m honest, I see some misplaced passions in my own life. I wish I could say I always place God first, then family, friends and community, but I think I often end up putting myself first.

Do you see any areas in your life that need to be redirected? Perhaps God has convicted you or is calling you to walk in a different direction.

Our passions may wander or be misguided at times, but the good news is that God’s passion never wains or wanders. He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)!

God set His plan of redeeming love in motion, sending His Son Jesus to rescue us from our misplaced passions and our sin. His passion for us is so great that it cost Him His Son.

Athlete, through the sacrifice of Jesus, God made a way for us to be held secure in His love forever. Nothing can separate us from Him! Now that is good news.

A prayer to consider: Lord, nothing is too big, too scary, too hard or too impossible for Your love. We are sealed. Amen!