Tag: passion

Each week I sit with my oldest daughter, who is currently in Kindergarten, and help her with her homework. One time someone asked her what her favorite thing about school was and she replied, “homework.” (Fingers crossed that’s always the case.) When her teacher informs us that she’s reached another reading level or she learns a new concept in school she is excited to talk about it. When I’m reading with her and she is able to read something that used to be difficult for her she glows with pride and we seal it with a high five. When she goes from writing one sentence to three for her book reports she stands a little taller. Within her is an excitement to grow and to create. Her excitement is genuine because everything is new to her. Everything is fresh and, therefore, almost everything is exciting. Aristotle said, “Young people are in a condition like permanent intoxication, because life is sweet and they are growing.”

What happens to us as we get older that we lose the excitement for what we do? Why do we allow ourselves to live passionless lives drained of excitement? I don’t mean to suggest that we never have fun. I’m suggesting that you and I should be excited to do what we have been called and designed to do. Most of our time is spent working and is not spent on vacation. Therefore, if vacation time is the only time where we experience our maximum level of excitement we are also submitting to living the majority of our lives in a state of indifference.

Most days I am essentially working 3 jobs. I am routinely up until 11pm or midnight writing, planning or studying to put a lesson together. Personally, I love being around people discussing the Bible, their purpose or how to advance their vision. These things drive me on a daily basis and the time of day does not hinder my excitement when engaging in these discussions. I am excited to help people move to the next step in their understanding of the Word through apologetics. I am excited to teach people truths that will allow them to be all that God designed them to be. I am excited to create the blog posts, lessons, and books that will advance people and their families to a higher level of wisdom. That’s me. What excites you?

You may not like every part of your job but there may be parts of it that are in line with your strengths. Your job may have some paperwork that you find annoying but it may also allow you to serve and help people. Find your joy in that part. In the midst of the meeting you don’t want to be in, find joy in being a part of accomplishing the vision the company has outlined. Be excited about the times in life and about the times in your profession where you are operating in your gift and where your skills are being utilized for the benefit of others. This will make your days more fulfilling.

I’m not saying there won’t be tough days. I’m only saying that the good days should and will far outweigh the bad days with the right mentality. There will be experiences and conversations that charge you and remind you why you do what you do. Those instances will provide the momentum that feeds the passion for you to fulfill your purpose. I’ve served in youth ministry for over ten years and it’s often a tough and challenging calling. However, every once in a while a mother will come to me in tears thanking me for helping her with her son who is now successful in life. A teen might graduate from college and in conversation remind you of something that you taught them years ago that helped them excel. These things charge and excite me. Why you do what you do is where your excitement is rooted. Why are you willing to get up early? Why are you willing to stay late? Why are you working when everyone else is asleep? The answers to these and many other questions will provide the foundation for why you should be excited to be who you are and do what you do.

As we grow older we have a tendency to become jaded with life and the tasks we undertake on a daily basis. In order to avoid this we have to go back to the basics. What is your primary purpose? What first excited you? What problem were you born to solve?