A Passion for Your Purpose

Passion and purpose are gifts from God. It is God creating in the heart a desire to make a difference in some area for His Glory. Passion or enthusiasm is sometimes considered “excessive” when it is applied to use in religion. However, godly passion with a purpose motivates us to action and focuses our attention on what is truly important.

I have recently been reading J. C. Ryle’s sermon titled, “Be Zealous”. We are told by Paul in Romans, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:11 ESV) Paul actually lived such a life this. Knowing the purpose for which God called him; Paul was willing to face persecution, imprisonment, and the attacks of the devil for the sake of the Gospel.

We can see our passion and purpose in the topics we love to talk about. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34 ESV) We can easily see this in our conversations. What do you talk about most? Do you love to talk about Jesus?

Excitement and joy tend to be evident when you are pursuing your purpose with passion. When you are passionately pursuing the purpose for which God called you, you will also feel energized. Does your passion and purpose glorify God and build up the body of Christ? If these are God given, they most certainly will. What is the purpose for which your passion is obvious? How may it be used to glorify God?

Passion for your purpose must be cultivated and nourished. It is not to be hidden aside. It is a gift of God, which you should respect and determine how to best use to glorify God. Let us remember, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 ESV) Good works are one of the general purposes for which God created each of us and He has given us the passion for the part we are to play. Now we must use it to glorify God.