A few weeks ago I was sitting in the parking lot of a popular Mexican fast food restaurant talking about life with a dear friend. I was telling her about my seasons and about how God redeemed me through reminding me of my passion to serve. I was so surprised about the way God had shown me that I am worthy through reminding me of my passion for others. I told her that I believe service to those closest to be is one of my greatest passions. I come alive just thinking about doing something for the people I love. She then looked at me and said, “I don’t really know what I’m passionate about.” It was then that I, unlike most, am hyper-aware of what I’m passionate about. Being slightly introverted, I tend to dig into my heart and discover the roots of things. But my dear friend is not. “But you have huge dreams,” I assured her. “Yeah, I do, but that doesn’t mean I know what I’m passionate about.”
That’s when I discovered that at the root of every dream is a passion. Passion is the jet-fuel for life. Without passion, you are waiting idly on the runway waiting for someone to come along and figure out some other way to get you going. When someone is passionate, everyone around them can tell. You just look at them and see that they know who they are, what they want, and where they’re going. All of this is fueled by passion. So let’s talk about how we can find the roots to empower the unique passions that God has given each and everyone of us. Let’s dig.
(Remember this guy?)
Level 1: name the dream
We all have dreams. If you’re breathing, you’re dreaming. There is a desire to do something embedded in each of us. Dreams are as unique as fingerprints. So the first level we need to dig into is naming our dreams. There are no limitations, no boundaries. Don’t let logic get in the way of the dreams we’ll uncover. It may help to write down two or three. Obviously, as a writer, I am a huge proponent of writing things down, but the more you write it down, the more truth it has. Now, we’re talking BIG dreams. The dreams you’ve had as long as you can remember. Here’s mine-
I want to be a princess in Disney World.
There! I’ve said it. But actually, if you know me, this dream is not a secret. I’ve had plans to audition for years. But regardless of whether I’ll achieve this dream or not is not reliant on the passion that’s at the root of it.
Level 2: play the question game
Remember when you were a kid and you could ask questions for HOURS? No question was off limits… “Why do trees move?” “Why is the sky blue?” “How did the sun get there?” But as we get older we stop asking questions. But let’s ask about our dreams. Play the question game with yourself. Start with the beginning… “why do I want to ________” and continue until you find the base.
Why do I want to be a Disney princess? Because I love Disney.
Why do I love Disney? Because it’s the happiest place on earth.
Why is it the happiest place on earth? Because it’s magical.
Why is it magical? Because you get to be a kid again.
You get the point…
Level 3: find the passion
I reach a realization- I want to be a princess at Disney World because I want to make an impact on kids’ lives. I am passionate about making an impact on kids lives.
Passions are God-given. Dreams can come and go, be realized or never come true. But the passion will always remain. I could become a Disney princess tomorrow, but I will always have a passion for making an impact on kids’ lives. So now that I know that so many of my dreams come from the root of that passion, what can I do? How can I fulfill that passion? How can I come alive by sharing my passion with others. Perhaps the most terrifying thing is realizing your passion and realizing you haven’t done anything with it. It’s terrifying to realize that you may have not used your passion for the greater good.
Now that’s it, we claim it, we declare it over our lives. We write it down. We put it next to our doors, so that as we leave for the day we can say “Make sure you make an impact on kids’ lives today.” Lay that passion at the foot of the cross and make God accountable for helping the passing he gave you come to life. After all, God has given you unique passions, pray that he provides the opportunity to use them for his glory.
One day guys…