Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 12, 2018
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6–7
Am I living my passion? Do I tolerate my daily tasks, or am I compelled to complete my checklist? Am I motivated by passion or by a paycheck? It is in this tension of wanting to engage in activities that align with my giftedness that I need to trust the Lord. Life is too short for me to grind out good results when I can enjoy the best outcome in my area of passion. Why settle for less than the Lord’s very best? He gifts me where He calls me.
However, the gift of God in the heart of His children can become dormant and underutilized. Like an unused arm or leg, it can atrophy and become unusable. God’s gifts need the flame of faith to ignite their potential much like oxygen gives life to fire. The Holy Spirit is blowing across the ship of your sanctification, but is your sail hoisted up toward heaven to capture His power? God’s gifts are given for His glory and your enjoyment.
What is your gift that needs clear definition and focused development? Is it writing? Is Christ calling you to romance pen with paper to create a clear, concise, and compelling message of faith, hope, and love? Is it music? Is the Lord leading you to a daily routine of practice with a musical instrument or the creation of beauty with a paintbrush?
Maybe in your heart you are a woodworker, a seamstress, a teacher, a coach, a cop, or a counselor. You may ask, “How can I make a living around my passion?” Money will follow the life motivated by passionate work. Work hard and smart; trust the Lord for provision. You will never lack for opportunity when God’s gift is your guiding force.
Live out your passion before you run out of passion. Passion produces ongoing energy.
When you focus on your strengths you become strong. When you focus on your weaknesses you become weak. God’s will is for you to work in your strengths so you can be a blessing to those you influence. Your influence will expand exponentially when it launches from a heart empowered by its passionate desires.
Ask the Almighty to align your heart desires with His desires, and enjoy this combustion for Christ. Live out your passion so you die with no regret. Passion lived out is powerful in God’s hand. By faith unleash the passionate gift the Lord has put in your heart.
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit, align my passions with Yours, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Am I living out my passions with my God-given purpose? If not, when can I start?
Related Reading
Psalm 21:2; Matthew 25:25; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 4:10
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God’s gifts need the flame of faith to ignite their potential much like oxygen gives life to fire. #WisdomHunters #passionateliving
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