Passion & Purpose
I haven't completely figured out the official parameters, but it's generally accepted that I am a late Generation X'er. There are many things that differentiate us from other generations, but I believe one of the greatest differences is that we are a passion-driven generation. Before us, the Baby Boomers and the Silent Generations were all focused on potential. To this day, Boomers are concerned that their grandchildren live up to their potential by pushing education and getting a good job. Think about the civil rights movements, feminism, or the space programs of the sixties and early seventies, and you will see how much that generation wanted to maximize the capacity of what they could do. I was raised and educated by that generation, and they are still watching me in order make sure I live up to my potential.
Generation X introduced the world to a new drive, in that we are generally more focused on what we WANT to do. A good working definition of passion is an intense enthusiasm or compelling desire for someone or something. Passion for whatever pleases our hearts seems to be the main thing that informs most of what my generation does, and how we live our lives. Consider this: my generation brought us hip hop, grunge, independent films, social media, and a renaissance of the entrepreneurial spirit. It is our generation that has virtually collapsed print publishing (ie newspaper, and magazine), crippled the music industry (ie major record labels), and revolutionized how we enjoy mass media (ie, TV, movies, and radio). All of this, because we pursue our passions.
While Generation X understands the importance of education but doesn't consider it a necessity. For this reason, there are businessmen and businesswomen with no formal training but possess passion and great instincts that earn them billions of dollars. There are even more artists and athletes creating huge success, without even applying to any college. We're all about passion. However, I want to make sure that we understand the parameters of our passion. We have to be careful in this, "do what makes you happy" world, so here are 5 things you should consider as you are pursuing your passion:
Passion comes from you and only you
As a pastor, I've heard many people erroneously declare that God gave them a passion for whatever it is they want to do. That's not so. Things we desire are birthed out of exposure. No matter how hard someone tries, they cannot be made to love anything. The desire for more of whatever you and I have been exposed to is solely on us; and in the same way, we will never desire anything we haven't seen, felt, tasted, heard, or experienced.
Passions are unpredictable
I'll never forget what my friend, Pastor Iran Pitre, told me. He said, "We aren't in control of what we like: we just like what we like, and there is no real explanation for it." He went on to say, "You just see it, smell it, taste it, hear it, and it pleases you."
This is why some people have "strange pleasures", like the ones who enjoy the smell of gasoline, or the flavor of chitterlings. I have a tall niece, and no one is surprised about her love for sports, especially volleyball. However, I have a tall daughter as well. Everyone assumes she loves sports, but her passions lay in the arts and fashion. Passions can't be predicted.
Not only that, but passions can go just as easily as they come. This is why you find people who are passionate about dancing this year, and the next year they are passionate about making organic soaps. Passion devoid of purpose is temporary. Even passion in romantic relationships needs to be periodically renewed.
Passions affect us on a deep level
Please don't think that I am propagating new-age philosophy, but there is some truth to what new-age theorists believe. I agree that our passions are more felt than seen. The "energy or vibe" we project changes whenever we begin to even talk about our passions. We light up; we get excited! Ever talk to a kid about their crush? Yea, that's what I mean. Your passions will be evident to others, and they will feel it too because it affects you in a metaphysical way.
God can use your passion
Yes, the scriptures speak a lot about denying our passions (Romans 1: 26-27, Galatians 5:24, James 4:3). But I've God use people's passions in a mighty way. Consider David: whether as a shepherd, a warrior, and as a king, he had a passion for writing poetry and songs. God was able to use the passion of David's gifts, to teach us theological truths about Himself. God CAN use your passions. Bill and Gloria Gaither, Andre Crouch, Kirk Franklin, and many others have blessed the body of Christ with wonderful music that helps us worship our God. Max Lucado, John Maxwell, Dave Ramsey, and many others have taught us wonderful and practical insight through their books. Paul and Jan Crouch, Marcus and Joni Lamb, and Kevin Adell all broadcast the Gospel to billions of people around the world with their television networks. God can collide your passions with your purpose, subsequently changing the world!
Your greatest passion should be to do the will of God
Sometimes we have to override our personal desires in order to fulfill the will of God. At the end of the day, we have been created for God's glory and to fulfill His purpose for our lives. This means that God can have us do something that we don't particularly want to do. This was my experience. When I sensed the call of God for me to preach and pastor, it was compelling. Preaching and pastoring were the furthest things from my mind, my plan, or my passion: I didn't want to do it. I had to yield my will to His in order to fulfill His purpose for my life.
With this, I'm in good company. Luke 22 tells us about Jesus as He is preparing to go to the cross. He has a crossroads moment. He begins to really feel the weight of His purpose. He had been teaching and preaching, but that wasn't His purpose. He had been healing the sick and raising the dead, but that wasn't His purpose. He had been performing a variety of miracles and wonders, but that wasn't His primary purpose. Jesus was born to die for our sins. He came to take on the debt of our transgressions, and be our sacrificial lamb. At this moment, Jesus wasn't afraid of the uncertainty of death as you and I may be; but He did not want to be separated from The Father, because He and the Father are one. For Jesus to die and descend into the depths of the underworld meant separation, and He just didn't want to do that. He prayed, "Father if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." (v. 42)
Even Jesus had to yield His personal passions to the will of the Father; it just may be that one day you and I will have to do the same. As believers, it is our primary purpose to please Him. Even if He asks us to do something we wouldn't choose for ourselves, we must know that God won't lead us wrong. In the end, He will make all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28).
© 2018 Derek J. Murphy Enterprises, and I AM KINGDOM Publishing, All Rights Reserved.
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