Sharing Your Passions
Think of a time you have felt truly alive; when you felt like you really loved life and felt excited about what you were experiencing. Was it while you were cooking a fancy meal for someone? Or playing an intense game of basketball with your friends? Maybe you felt truly alive while you were writing a short story, or at dance practice, or while riding your bike. God made each of us and gave us unique talents, abilities and gifts, and sometimes – when we are doing something that God wired us to love doing – we feel like we could do that thing
forever!
That’s not an accident or a coincidence: God gave us passion for things because He wants us to enjoy the benefits of His wonderful Creation! On top of that, doing or experiencing the things we are passionate about often means being true to who we really are – who God designed us to be. It is important that we figure out what we are passionate about because it can give us an incredible sense of purpose for our lives.
However, there are some things to keep in mind: (1) There is a chance that something you are passionate about doesn’t line up with what God wants for your life and may clash with what we read in the Bible. If you feel truly alive every time you punch your sister, for example, maybe it’s time for a new passion. (2) Even if the things you are passionate about aren’t things that dishonour God (i.e. sister-punching), you should ask yourself if pursuing them purely for your own benefit is the best you can do. Baking cupcakes for example (which happens to be a favourite pastime of mine) doesn’t naturally go against what God wants for my life. It does, however, run the risk of being a bit selfish if I’m baking entire batches just for myself! Imagine how much more fulfilling it would be to do the things we love if we used our gifts to give to others. If you love to paint, sell your art to raise money to give to a family in need. If you love soccer, arrange a charity tournament for Mennonite Central Committee. If you love knock-knock jokes, make up a list of your favourites and tell them to someone in a nursing home. The possibilities are endless!
Discussion Questions:
Can you remember a time when you loved life? When what you were doing and experiencing seemed most true to who you really are? A time when your God-given design was most fully engaged? Where were you and what were you doing?
What gets you fired up? To help answer this question, ask yourselves these questions:
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If you could do something everyday, what would it be? What would you do if you had no limitations (lack of money, fear of failure, lack of time, etc)?
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Who do you really admire? Why?
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What makes you feel really excited and empowered?
This Week’s Challenge:
As a family, what are you passionate about? How can you tap into each person’s passions to give to other family members? Your church? Your friends? Your community?
Do something together that you love doing, but do it in a way that serves others. If you love to go for walks, take part in a walk-a-thon for a good cause. If you love to cook together, volunteer at Oasis Drop-In Centre (kids are invited to come as long as they stay in the
kitchen). If you love to eat together (as Tom and I do), visit the Morning Glory Café and Bakery on King Street (www.morningglorycafe.net). Determine your family’s passion, and do it for Jesus.
Things To Check Out:
Ray of Hope, a wonderful organization in Kitchener with the mission to “to demonstrate the love of Christ to those who are disadvantaged, marginalized and/or in trouble with the law.” – www.rayofhope.net (Check here for info about Oasis Drop-In and Morning Glory Café)
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24