Passion In Your Heart

“Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it springs the issues of life.

 -Prov 4.23

 “Your passion is a pointer to the problem you are created to solve”.

-Mike Murdock, American Preacher

 Sequel to the previous post on Gifts and Calling, a dimension to this that I could not adequately stress is following the passion in your heart. God benevolently wired every human being with some specific passion that, in part, points to their role(s) in life. My aim in this short thought-provoking article is to further set you on fire in your quest for personal identity, which would thus help you live intentionally as a person on a mission here.

 A strong point I emphasize throughout the book I look forward to publishing soon is, “No matter where life drops us, there is something in our lives empowered by God to do the impossible.” There is no accident in God. He’s a God of purpose, plan and objectivity. You either have a major gift or a ruling passion. David Oyedepo succinctly nails it on the head when he opined that, “You are either, running with a vision, going on a mission, or burning with a passion… If you do not belong to any of these, life is reduced to a burden.”

 Some may claim they do not have any special gifts, although this is not true, but there is something else that sets you apart; the passion in your heart. “What has God wired me for?” Some moments of rumination on this question can be incredibly illuminating.

It is written in Psa 33.14-15, “From the place of His dwelling He (God) looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.” On purpose, God wires every one of us with some inimitable uniqueness. And this heartfelt passion is a pointer to your crusade in life. As implied in the bible passage above, God assesses your service & contributions to humanity on this basis. It’s Mike Murdock that said, “Your passion is a pointer to the problem you are created to solve”.

The world cannot forget the charitable impacts of the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in a hurry. Although Mother Teresa was not known to have carried any special charismatic gift, yet her overwhelming passion for the Indian helpless made her an Icon. She built homes for orphans, nursing homes for lepers and hospices for the terminally ill in India. Mother Teresa died a legend, having left her footprints on the sands of time.

The scripture is right all along in this regard, “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it springs the issues of life. (Prov 4:23)  What makes you come alive? As Carl Jung once said, “your vision will become clear only when you can look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.” Your attractions, desire, likes, commitments and prayers are an indication of what you are destined for.

If you are a banker and you are innately passionate about media, that may be your calling. I am aware that economic necessity and family responsibility may require you to work for a season outside the area of your passion, but don't settle there. Follow your passion.

One interesting thing about your passion is that, even when you suppress it, it keeps resurfacing throughout your lifetime; a common phenomenon experienced by prophet Jeremiah in the Bible (See Jer 20.9). So, obey the inner voice.

Following your passion is highly rewarding apart from a sense of fulfilment it stimulates. As Jesus Christ once revealed to his disciples in clear terms, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Perhaps we've all heard it time and again since we were young: “Chase your passion, not your pension.” – Denis Waitley

Follow your passion, do what you love. Shalom

Thank you.

James Adekoje

For The Bible Motivator