We're coming up on one year in Maui. It's been incredible, life changing, and filled with wonder. I've never asked God for fame or wealth, occasionally I've put in a request for wisdom, but not as often as I should. My most consistent prayer has been for wonder, and that He has granted. Yet the source of the 'wonderful' hasn't been only in the mountains, waterfalls, rainbows, reefs, waves, and waters of these islands. It's been in the eternal friendships of which I am most passionate. It's been said that a friendship will be young after the lapse of half a century; a passion is old at the end of three months. This is true if one doesn't lead to the other. It is the friendships I am most passionate about that have brought me the greatest wonder. That is to say, it's the friendships that have a healthy passion at their core that last. And it's the passions that lead to a healthy friendship that endure. When applied to our walk with the Maker of all things, the reality of this principle erupts into the wonder of His presence. In that place of presence there is both passion and friendship. Whatever you start with, make certain to include the other, for it is impossible for them to stand alone for very long. For me, every passion for God has led to a deeper friendship with God. The passion is the seeking first the Kingdom, the friendship is the relationship with the King. Jesus made it clear that this is where we are to be when He said, I no longer call you servants, but friends. It is not what we call Him that makes this so profound, but what He calls us. Your invitation to relationship enriches the heart of God and in that place of friendship with you, His passion for you is revealed. Kim Walker wrote of this place of touching the heart of God, "He is jealous for me. Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy. When all of the sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great Your affections are for me. And oh, how He loves us so..." Well said.