What are you passionate about; your job, kids, wife, money, cars, hobby? There is bound to be something that "drives" you. I have discovered that the things I pay attention to is usually what I am passionate about. If I am excited and zealous about a particular topic, hobby, or other activity, I will immerse myself into the study and discipline of that activity. I pay attention to the opportunities to learn and I evaluate what others are doing to be on the cutting edge. My attentiveness to my passion only serves to fuel more passion and drive my purpose. We are surrounded by a cacophony of noise that can draw our attention away from what we hold dear. Events are happening all around us and it is impossible to “pay attention” to everything. In fact the din distracts us to the point that it is often difficult to pay attention to what is really important to us.
Given that life presents us with a “cacophony” of distractions, what are some personal spiritual practices that can keep us “in touch” with our passions?
Life is a roller coaster. Filled with ups and downs, that's just life. We might as well enjoy the ride. What matters, is not so much what happens, but rather how we respond to it. As Charles Swindoll stated "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it." Much of our reaction is learned. By nature, our response will be of the "flesh." But Paul declares "...for I have
learned, whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." We can learn contentment. We can learn, spiritual discplines or practices that will keep us more than just content, but keep us passionate men of purpose.
Donald Whitney wrote a book called "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life." An awesome book that I have read twice (I loaned it to someone, don't remember who, and haven't gotten it back so I guess I will have to purchase another copy). It is replete with practical suggestions on maintaining our spiritual life. Some of the spiritual practices that can help us stay in touch with our passions and purpose, are what I call the "Sunday School" answers, but none the less they are vital. Those are, prayer, Bible reading and study, and church attendance. When we fail to pray and read as we should, we will find our passion waning. Another practice that I have personally engaged in is "limited" fasting. By "limited", I mean controlling my intake of certain foods. What I have known for many years but just recently it has become a "Spirit revelation" in my life, is that as I allow my physical body to get out of control, my carnal man if you will, it affects my spiritual being. It impacts my God directed passion and purpose. God is dealing with me concerning this and has clearly spoken to my spirit that as I control my flesh, I grow in my spirit.
Another area that will help us to stay in touch with our passions and purpose, is similar to what Paul talks about in Philippians 3. It isn't so much a spiritual practice as it is a perhaps more of a "value" and a "mind set" and that is, "
I press on". There is great value in "pressing on." I forget the things that are behind me and I reach forward to the things before me, and I "
press on". I fall down, I get up, and
I press on. I hit another snag, I get untangled, and
I press on. I come to a hill, seemingly impossible to get over, but
I press on. Perseverance through adversity, builds spiritual character. It will help us to discover what we are really passionate about, because God will continually bring us back to it.
Staying "centered" on what one is passionate about is vital. Life in general, is a balancing act and we too easily get out of balance. Our wives can be a wonderful source of information. They can give us a woman’s point of view and it helps us to stay centered. They can push us (gently of course) to stretch ourselves in areas that we normally would not try. For that we can be grateful.
Passion about success:
Have you ever wondered what is success? Do you ask yourself, have I been successful? I don't care if you are 18 or 80 most men struggle with this idea of "success". My own dad was in his 60's when out of the blue he tells me "I don't know what I have done with my life. I feel like I have wasted it." What a tragedy! But I would bet he isn't in the minority. I think most men struggle with this idea of who they are and what they have done.
There are so many ways that one could view success. How one defines success depends upon their core values and beliefs. For instance, if a person has a core value that it is important to have material wealth, then they will view themselves as successful when they achieve that wealth. On the other hand, someone who holds relationships with others as a value, then their success is achieved when they develop vital relationships with the people around them, their friends and their family. Success is defined as achieving a visible result of one’s core value. What is one of your "core values" and what are you doing to bring about a visible result of what you hold near and dear to your heart? These are questions that men with passion and purpose must ask and answer.
God bless and keep you.
Jesus is my passion and purpose,
Keith Fife
