Passion vs. Purpose

That phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none,” suits me well. I can converse with people on a variety of subjects with some measure of dignity, however, when they start to really dig in, I either have to beg off or just listen intently. I didn’t know that much about it.

I’ve never been passionate about anything. Ever.

Except for one thing–writing.

I love to write. I’m definitely one of those whose parents have a box of short stories, poems, and articles somewhere in the attic–stuff aquired since before I could actually write.

It became evident to me early on that writing was definitely my calling. But what was I supposed to write about? I didn’t know enough about anything to write about it well.

Still, I wrote.

*passion: n., any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling

I’ve always felt that nagging, that yearning to write. Even in the years when I tried to explore other careers, leaving writing on the back burner, I still wanted to write. I may not be able to deny chocolate, but for some reason I forced myself to pursue other interests. Of course, without passion, those pursuits ended up being fruitless and unsatisifying.

*purpose: n., the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

God gifts us with certain passions. Our passion feeds into our purpose; and our purpose fuels our passion. Remember in math class, I don’t recall which one exactly, but you used to do those cirlce comparison things. Like some dogs are white (circle) and some dogs are black (circle), but some dogs are black and white (circles cross over a bit). Yeah…same theory applies here. We have our passions (one circle) and we have our purpose (one circle), and for the most part our passions and purpose will overlap to some degree. To what degree depends on our openness to God’s will for our life.

A good example of this would be a woman who doesn’t want children. Maybe she has a career mindset, maybe children just annoy her, maybe she isn’t sure she would be a good mother. Whatever the reason, when this woman ends up in the delivery room, a miracle happens. That sweet, little baby emerges and it’s love at first sight. The woman’s eyes mist over as she assumes her new role as a mother. It was God’s purpose for her to be a mother, and He gave her the passion for it when the time came.

I’m still not sure where I fit into the writing world, but I know I’m supposed to be there (here?). God gave me the passion for writing. And, though I may write for a Christian military wives’ magazine, work on novels in different genres, blog on this website, all while contemplating freelancing, I know my purpose is here somewhere. Whether I fully comprehend that purpose in this lifetime or the next, I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

REPOSTED FROM MAY 2012