Discover Passion

Nehemiah 1:3-4 And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

This last weekend, Pastor Obie preached from the book of Nehemiah on the topic of “passion”. He stated that if we have a passion for anything, then it is easier to do them, so we should find and follow our passions. What does “passion” mean? Even though the 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “passion” as (1) Suffering; emphatically, the last suffering of the Savior, so passion means to endure suffering, as in those things which break your heart the most. But Noah Webster also defines the word as: (2) The feeling of the mind, or the sensible effect of impression; excitement, perturbation or agitation of mind; as desire, fear, hope, joy, grief, love, hatred. Pastor Obie adds that “passion” is that which “breaks your heart”. When we live in our God-given passion, the things which break God’s heart, also break our heart. Happiness is centered on holiness and  our passion is that which causes our enthusiasm. The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek “entheos”, meaning God-inspired.

The 1828 Webster’s defines the word "enthusiasm" as: a violent passion or excitement of the mind, in pursuit of some object, inspiring extravagant hope and confidence of success. Hence the same heat of imagination, chastised by reason or experience, becomes a noble passion, an elevated fancy, a warm imagination, an ardent zeal, that forms sublime ideas, and prompts to the ardent pursuit of laudable objects. Such is the enthusiasm of the poet, the orator, the painter and the sculptor. Such is the enthusiasm of the patriot, the hero and the Christian. Pastor Obie explains that there is a difference between “person passion” and “God-given passion”. A God-given passion is a passion for what breaks God’s break. Within that passion, we discover our life mission through which we are willing to suffer for; like taking up our cross daily and following Christ, so that the “lost in sin” can find salvation. God-sized dreams require a God-sized faith.

Nehemiah 2:4-5 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”

Pastor Obie pointed out that when preparation meets opportunity, success follows. In life, opportunities will come, but will we be ready? If we are not in the “right” position mentally, physically or spiritually, then we will miss the opportunities as they arise. Waves of opportunities will come. If your dreams do not scar you, then you are not dreaming big enough. Know that God will put that passion for Christian living in us.  Be prepared by praying. Prayer acknowledges that (1) God is in control, (2) Allows us to see how big God really is, and (3) Permits us to see our priorities; but see God’s design change them to God-given passions. Prepare by planning a timeline for goals. If you have a goal, plan and map it out. The difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal has a timeline. Timelines of goals lead to success. Plan to work and work to plan.

Do what God wants you to do, discover your God-given passion and lean into the work needed to get it done and take you to the next step for the glory of God. Realize what is the best thing to do because sometimes we have to stop a “good” thing in order to do the “best” thing. Align yourself with God’s priorities. Being a witness to the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ is our greatest God-given calling in life. Awaken your God-given passion and catch sight of the God-sized dream that He has given you. Enthusiastically discover the passion that God has planted in your heart and be truly blessed.

In Christ, Brian