Faith in Love

Whenever I hear Passion's "Listen," I pause to take a breath. Here, a man relays a story of his experience in a different country, where he becomes mature with wisdom, love, and the fulfillment of God's purpose. The sound of strings, the slow tempo of the guitar is nostalgic, reflective, emotive. I am suddenly moved, my breath fills me in with a purpose. Inspired.

Religion has been a complicated issue for me since high school. I was raised in a semi-religious household, both Catholic and Pentecostal, secular and spiritual. Going to church was a matter of "showing face," yet I went to appease my parents. Attended and even taught children's Sunday school, went to church conferences, won Bible competitions, sang in the choir, acted in plays. It was a family thing--while in the Philippines, we would take an hour-ride to church, often meeting with extended family. In Hawai'i, it became a matter of who-can-make-it. My parents couldn't afford to miss work on Sundays, and I thought I had better things to do than to pretend to listen. Especially when I was told that the pastor was a hypocrite.

Looking back, I was quick to dismiss all pastors the same. Human. Who were they to tell me how to live my life? Or to say they know God's Word better than I do? What is God's word anyway?

Nowadays, there is a new church of tolerance, of being "spiritual" instead of "religious." While "spiritual" may apply to the dedication to the immaterial, the soul, unworldly. "Religious" seems structural, dictated by dogma. Arguably, I don't think that it makes a difference: religion refers to adherence to a code of beliefs, being "spiritual" adheres to being open-minded. They both adhere, right?

When I hear "Listen," I am struck by the idea of just living God's purpose. To Love.

Just Love.

It's the only thing in the world that truly drives me, motivates me to wake up in the morning. This song lets me drift in thoughts of my love for family, friends, people, nature, life, laughter. Going through this sacrifice for 40 days, I've realized that I've got this hunger to work towards this goal of living this purpose.... Finding Peace through Love, where Peace is to hear children's laughter, or to see the twinkle in my grandfather's eyes..


It's such a beautiful song.