Over the next few weeks, I’ve invited some of my dear blogging friends to share words of encouragement here on the blog while I rock my newborn baby and get some much-needed rest. Today Sarah Travis joins me on the blog to share how to find purpose in your passions and embrace who God created us to be. I love how her words give us permission to allow each other to be different, all while we pursue our life missions with singular focus. I’m sure you will be encouraged by her post as well.
“And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8 NET
What are your passions? Do you know?
As a mother-to-be I am becoming increasingly aware of the many opinions and differences existing between parents! If I listen to some people, despite what the doctors say, I should be worried about my lack of energy in pregnancy. I chose to ignore them and nap away!! If I listen to everyone, I will be changing my parenting style and choices more often than I will be changing diapers!
The truth is we are all different. We all have different passions in life that drive our purpose. We all have different priorities shaped by our values and often our past. As they say, we are all wired differently.
Tweet ThisA few weeks ago I was in a class focused on values. We were instructed to work through a list of 56 values, including things like: Accomplishment, Communication, Creativity, Faith, Holistic Living, Nature, Professionalism, Trust…. We then had to recognize our top 5 values. Friends, if you did this exercise your list will be different to mine so I won’t even share my top 5! They are my values shaping my life. My list will be different to pretty much anyone else I know! But that doesn’t make it wrong.
When you can recognize your top values, you understand they are your passions. They are what drive you. It is your passions that shape the person you are and the people you reach through your life. If we were all the same, we would all be reaching the same people, and bringing up children all trained to be the same.
My Passions
My passions define my purpose as the mum I will be, and they will enable me to be the parent my children need, to be brought up and fulfill their own created purpose.
My passions drive my ministry and the women I reach and relate to. Anyone looking for Christian-based cooking, decorating, and party tips will be disappointed if they expect my website to resemble a how-to Pinterest board! I am likely to be the one asking for help to cater a birthday party, not the go-to person for everyone in my life!
However, if you ask me for my input on contemporary Christian music… then you might see my eyes light up! My passions also drive the friendships and relationships I was created to have.
I love Psalm 139:13 in the NET translation:
“Certainly you made my mind and heart; you wove me together in my mother’s womb.”
God made you! He wove in your values and passions as He carefully created your mind and heart. Let’s stop looking to the passions and values shaping the talents of others. Instead let’s renew our minds to the purpose of the different passions He planted in each one of us.
God has created YOU with passions to fulfill His purpose for you:
“For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.” Ephesians 2:10 NET
Don’t let NOT embracing your created purpose be the reason someone else misses out!
A note from Asheritah: Do you need help to find purpose in your passions? Read my popular post How to Write a Personal Mission Statement and discover the wonderful way God created you exactly as you are!
Sarah Travis is from Scotland, but immigrated to the U.S. in 2013 to marry Jason. She is an author, speaker, and inspirational Bible teacher passionate about helping women believe their acceptance and belonging in Christ, not in the world. “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 ESV
You can catch Sarah on: Facebook, Twitter, SarahTravis.org