What’s Your Passion?
What’s your passion, and where did it come from? As a columnist I notice lots of writers feel compelled to write about lots of different things. Sharing ideas, concerns, passions, warnings, and influence can certainly promote our learning, growth, and appreciation of others. But all topics are not of equal importance, are they? For example, if you had a cure for cancer, wouldn’t sharing that be more important than merely filling up a space with some casual observations. I fully support our free press and want to encourage authors to share their thoughts and ideas. But clearly some messages can truly help people more than others. If your passion in writing, serving, or working can truly help people, then go all out for it! But perhaps some more consideration is called for if it’s more about you and your agenda than about helping others.
For example, Samuel Clemmons (aka Mark Twain) said “I’d have written you a shorter letter, but I didn’t have time.” I think we are all better off to take that self motive-check and editing time to improve our “helping efficiency.”
Obviously any room full of people will differ as to what is most important to them. There is likely to be more agreement as to ways we can truly help others. But when we are concerned enough to take time to find out what is most important to us, we and others will benefit, especially if we live in accordance with those values.
God has given me 3 main passions: prayer, discipleship, and revival. None of these popped up overnight; they each took years, and went through the stages of listening, taking notes, prayer, follow-up, and then practice. Fortunately they all require strong partnership with God, with Him taking the lead, and therefore Him getting the credit. It is humbling to affirm that although He could use rocks instead of me, He loves me so much that He lets me participate in all these passions and thereby experience Him more deeply. Who else gives such magnificent gifts, motivations, purposes, direction, and energy, and then throws in godly contentment and satisfaction, like whip cream, on top? Hopefully this might encourage someone else to analyze their passions and sources, and write or live them out for the benefit of others!
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