Why do we struggle when we are asked what our passion is? 

Some feel like they know their passion, but really it’s an identified skill they are good at. Sometimes those skills executed at a larger scale can bring insight about what you thought your passion was versus what it really is. 

Take Lea Chadwell for example, she loved to bake for her family and friends and thought she would take that skill to the next level and make it a passion. She opened a bakery and realized that baking at a larger scale was not enjoyable. She closed the door on her bakery but not her skill. She still enjoys baking on a smaller scale, but in the business realm it wasn’t fun for her. 

Our skills need more endorsement to become a sustainable passion.

Passions are supposed to be viable over a long course. Could it be that we have a hard time knowing our passion (not just skills) is because the main passion in life is to love Christ and serve people? 

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul uses the example of a race, a race that must be trained for in order to win a prize. For those in Christ the reward is eternal and imperishable. He then goes on to say that he disciplines himself to ensure he isn’t disqualified from the race. Paul’s mission was to fulfill God’s agenda: preach the gospel. Paul had one passion and total commitment to it, to preach the gospel unapologetically and unwavering to all people (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). 

Do we struggle with our passion because we try to create one outside of God’s will? Not at all should you ignore your skills and talents, but use them for the passion (loving and serving) of the kingdom of God. 

Lea showed us how a skill turned passion can fall, but a skill and talent used and powered by God for the advancement of His kingdom has spiritual endorsement to run the race Paul described. 

So the next time you’re asked, “What’s your passion?”, you have an answer: love God and serve people.

See you next week!