Find Your Passions

Photo: Simply Me 

Its been tough to get into the groove of things, but I am loving being at home during the day! My puppies are inside with me, I cook myself yummy and fairly healthy meals, and I get to blog and work on freelance writing. I love it!

There is a chance that this won't last long; I have to find a job and if the "work from home" scene doesn't work, I'll have to get something outside of the house. I'm hoping that won't be necessary, but we will see what happens.

Regardless of what happens in the future, I am soaking in my time right now. For the first time in my life, I get to spend all day writing about whatever interests me, and whatever may encourage others. I get to spend time looking at other blogs for ideas and getting more acquainted with how this process works.

Needless to say, I'm passionate about this. It wasn't what my goal was when I studied creative writing in college, and I have no idea if it will lead anywhere, but I love it! I will do my best to make it into something that grows, and I will make sure my blog is bringing glory to God through my content. If it succeeds, it will be because God has a plan for it, and wants to use it. If it fails, I can take what I've learned and move forward to whatever God leads me to next. But I believe that when we find something we love (as long as it is godly, and within the framework of God's word, God's ways, and God's will ) we should work on it, actively pursue it, and use it for God's glory.

In addition to writing, I am still passionate about sports. I feel like the season for sports is pretty much over now, but I can use my passion for sports to take better care of my body, which is another way to glorify God.

I also love anything and everything family and friends. If I could spend 99% of my time with my husband and the rest of my family and my closest friends, I would. The other 1% would be used for personal relaxation. The problem with this, though, is that if I acted on this, I'd never really be around the lost, impacting them for Christ. However, by channeling my passion for family friends in the right ways, I can still be Christ's hands and feet. This could mean spending time with my family, but allowing people outside of the family to take part in our gatherings. My mom was always a great witness to my friends by opening up our home, loving on them, and usually feeding them (with food and with godly wisdom). If we do it this way, we are enjoying our loved ones, but we aren't being selfish or stingy about our time together.

However, there are other "passions" (that usually just end up being idols) that I have to relinquish to God... For example, I really want to be famous so people will like me. This should not be my goal. If God were to make my writing succeed and I did get popular, that would be great because I would hopefully be helping people come to know him, and I would also maybe be making a better income. And who doesn't want that?! But my goal cannot be to get popular so I will get attention or so people will like me. That is a wrong intention; a wrong focus. Goals like this must be given to God, so that he can reform them. God doesn't mind me wanting my writing to get noticed, but he does mind me having the wrong reasons for that desire. If you have any "passions" like this, give them to God. Ask him to show you if they can be redeemed, or if you need to let that specific dream go entirely. If it is a passion he has placed in your heart, he will redeem it, teach you how to have right intentions, and use it for his own glory. If it's not from him, he will not prosper it, so let it go. It may be difficult, but if it's not of God, then you don't need it in your life anyway.

Take the time today to exam yourself. What are some interests or passions you have that could be used for God's glory? Ask God to show you those things, and help you use them correctly. Also examine if there are some passions you have that are not of God. Ask God to help you let them go. Use what God has given you and the passions you have for God's glory. Use them to enjoy, and use them to further God's kingdom, as well as your own love for him.


Feel free to join me in the prayer below. Some of these things are daily prayers for me; others are what was on my heart today. Have a great day.

********************  Prayer *********************

Father God in Heaven, I pray that you will please speak to me through your word, today and everyday. Please help me to take the time to sit down and spend time with you, whether I feel like it or not. Forgive my dispassion, and sometimes even my avoidance. You deserve better.
That being said God in Heaven, while reading your word and in every part of every day, help me (nor any of your children) not to twist, misinterpret, misapply, or think or believe you are saying something, or that something is you, your voice, your truth, your leading or will, or of and from you that is not, and vice versa, God in Heaven, in any way, shape, or form; in anything or at any time. And help me to know the truth, your voice and your will, not believe lies, know the difference, and accept, believe, live by, and obey accordingly. Help me with this today and everyday, with anything and everything I struggle with, in all those ways, God in Heaven, and with anything and everything else in life too, in all those ways. Do these things for me and help me with these things in all the ways I've asked and need. Thank you, Father God in Heaven.
Forgive my lack of focus; better yet, forgive my focus on earthly things, instead of things above.
Teach me your ways, O Lord. Forgive me, help me, heal me, and purify me in every way I need it.
Search me, oh God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in your way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)
Guide me in your truth and teach me.
Open my eyes, that I may see and know what you are doing in my life, and open my ears, that I may hear and know all the things, the wonderful things, you have to tell me, God in Heaven; and help me trust you with all my heart, always and no matter what!
Be with all the prayer requests and take care of everything.
Take care of and do for me all I always ask, desire, need, etc (in general, specifically, and including all of the add-ons and such).
Give me faith, love, joy, hope, gentleness, righteousness, humility; forgive my sins and purify me.
Let Taylor and I, both as individuals and together, glorify you in all we say and do, know and do your will, and be your hands and feet. Let us lift each other up and help each other grow in you, God in Heaven, and help others in the same way. Let us be a godly example and witness, and you, and your truth, and being that godly witness above all else. Thank you.
Help me to also be able to help my student that I tutor, both educationally and spiritually. Bless him and his family and help me to be a light to them.
I take every thought and everything captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ, and help me to fully, God in Heaven.
I ask all of these things in Jesus' name, with faith in you, in and through the faith I've asked you to constantly fill me with, of and to you alone, God in Heaven,  amen.