So much is written on passion and finding purpose in life. For the past few days, I have been thinking long and hard on these words, “Find your passion.” Written in a book I was reading, they began stirring my heart to ponder the passion in my own life.
I have always been an avid reader, usually starting several books about the same time. I have gotten so much better at this as I have matured (aka, gotten older). As a child, it was a treat to take the long walk to the library with mom, only to return with either our arms or a shopping bag laden with books. Upon getting home, I would spread them all out, examining the dust jacket, reading the chapter titles so as to put them in the desired order to read.
Now older, I am amazed at how this love of reading, “passion”, has grown and developed and taken me on a journey …
I began blogging about four years ago as I wanted my family to know what was going on in my heart and mind each day. I never intended for them to know what I was doing until after I was gone. But somehow, word leaked out and several friends discovered my writing.
Then I decided to review books and share about them here on my blog. I wanted others to benefit from the inspiring and encouraging reads I found. This, too, grew for me. Through reading and reviewing, I somehow bumped into a new to me author, Emily Wierenga, and reviewed two of her books – A Promise in Pieces: Quilts of Love Series
Those reviews eventually led me to become involved with the ministry, The Lulu Tree, a not-for-profit ministry helping mothers and their children in Katwe, Uganda.
Passion >> “any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.” (dictionary.com)
Passion can be a force for good, for love or not. The choice lies within each of us – how are we going to use our passion?
In her book, Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances
Sometimes you bump into your passion when you’re looking for something else, and suddenly it all becomes clear when you feel God’s pleasure as you create or give or learn. And sometimes you just have to break down some fences and bust some gates off their hinges in order to catch the prize on the other side. And when you do, you realize that discovering your passion isn’t an end in itself, but the key.
The key to finding your purpose.
(page 92)
Passion and purpose intersect in our lives bringing about fulfillment and satisfaction, in and through our God.
Trust me on this one. It is what happened when God brought reading, writing and serving together in my own life. And He will do it in your life as well.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)
Passion: the key to finding your purpose.
Find your passion.
Passion leads to purpose.
Read more about the book, Flash, and enter my giveaway here which is open through Friday, May 8th .
Photo Credit: © Steve Cicero/Corbis
Today I am joining … Thought Provoking Thursday and Everyday Jesus .
Thank you for your encouraging post on passion. I am looking for my passion and purpose for I am in my next season of life. I am 50 years old and I had Lung cancer surgery in September 23, 2013. I had three different kind of cancer in my left lung so they had to remove the top part of my Lung. The good news is that they got it all. Praise the Lord. So I can’t go back to work because I can’t lift anything over 50lbs. I use to work as a nurse aide. I enjoy writing and painting.
Tara, I cannot imagine facing all that you have. I know the Lord had to have been your strength & surely was Who got you through. May you know that He surely has purpose for you. Praying He would show you exactly how to use the gifts He has given you. Blessings!
Joanne, I discover that we have more and more in common each time I read one of your posts. I have always been passionate about reading (currently doing the 52-books-in-a-year-challenge… Just finished book 27 last night!) and I am approaching my 4-year blogoversary too.
Powerful, passionate post, friend. Keep it up.
Sharita, that is quite the challenge & one I’m sure you will meet. It is fun to realize the things we have in common. I am always amazed by the people God brings into my life. May you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Wonderful post, Joanne! I love the image of you spreading out your library books as a child to prioritize them and can totally relate. I sat on my bed a couple days ago and did the same. (“Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy” rose to the top. You might say that’s a book about passion too.) It’s easy to hit a point where we’re coasting through life in our various roles—wife, mom (stepmom, in my case), career, etc. All of those things are so necessary that it can feel like a guilty pleasure to even think about pursuing our passions. But having just celebrated my thirty-tenth birthday, I find myself suddenly taking stock and trying to hear what God would have me do with the talents and desires (the passions) He gave me. After all, it’s part of God’s design that He puts those distinct passions in each of us …
Well, Happy Birthday, Ashley! It is true – in the midst of all that pulls for our attention, we still need to hear what God would have us to do with our lives. I am discovering that while I was in the very midst of raising my children, He (and them) were busily raising me as well 🙂 And… I so enjoyed the Bonhoffer book you mentioned. Be blessed!