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What are you passionate about?

Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters

Coming from the early Latin Pati (Suffer), the word passion has a strong connection to suffering. It is a unique word. Starting with the Latin Pati, the word’s meaning morphed in the late 1500’s into carrying the connotation we know today, that of strong sexual desire. The paradox of the word’s contradictory associations doesn’t necessarily mean it is also an oxymoron. The word encapsulates the essence of life (sex) and death (suffering).

Tony, an old friend of mine, told me a story about a friend of his who loved mowing lawns. He was a humble man with few amenities who had a passion for maintaining properties. One day he decided to start a business and become a greenskeeper. The man started small, like most business and worked hard to build his new business, while simultaneously struggling to provide for his family. But within a few years, this man turned his little mowing business into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. There is no doubt the man’s passion of beautifully maintained landscapes ignited a burning desire to do the same and although he had to sacrifice, the payoff was great.

I’ve always believed we as humans have two types of passions. The first is an internal passion; that which excites us and gets us out of bed with a purpose (i.e., a job or project). The second is an external passion; something that breaks our heart to the point where we feel we MUST do something about it (i.e., issues such as child abuse or abortion).

Have you ever noticed the fact that it is typically the most passionate speakers or athletes that that attract us? There is a reason for this. When we pursue the passion God has placed in our heart, success follows. Passion can also come from a place of suffering. Take an athlete for example. He puts in countless hours to train so that he can be the best he can be, sacrificing much to live out his passion. Or the woman who is ridiculed as she tries to share the love of Jesus with women as they go into an abortion clinic. It is suffering.

While all types of passions are found in human experience, not all are beneficial. When judging your passions ask yourself 3 questions:

1. Does it honor God?

2. Will it benefit others?

3. Will it help me to be all I was created to be?

Now let me ask you - what excites you day in and day out? What breaks your heart to the point of action? What are you willing to suffer for in order to bring about change? These are powerful questions that, when taken seriously, can alter the very course of your life. (Think of Michelangelo, Mother Theresa, Dr. King, Albert Einstein, and many others throughout the course of history. In a class by himself – Jesus of Nazareth!).

So, may I ask you, what passion(s) has God placed in your heart that will impact the world in a way that brings about positive change and glory back to Him? Remember: whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.