Graduation day. For one of my girls it was a few weeks ago. For the other girl it was today. Both of the girls in my tiny small group have graduated and I am officially no longer their high school small group leader. My four-year commitment to these girls has ended. I saw many changes in their lives and in them as well as myself during the last four years. It will be a period of time that I will never forget. I have forged friendships with these two that I hope will last many years.
As my time ends with them, I am looking around at what is next. Should I continue with high school or try another ministry? I spent about 4 years with the 3 year olds before this. I’m not sure what I will do yet, but I know that I need to find a place and soon.
After an end of year high school concert, my daughter and I talked about passion. There is just something about looking into the faces at the concert that gives such a rush. I look at the young people who have opportunities before them to make their dreams come true. Have I had a part in helping them toward their dreams? Was I there when someone needed to talk or needed someone to take time with him or her? Knowing these kids and knowing their parents is an awesome responsibility but an awesome joy. If I can help one person know God more fully then all the time spent is worth it. If I can help one person to come closer to their family then it has all been worth it.
Working with people is what I like. It helps make me more satisfied. During the years I have had many dreams. I once played the piano for hours a day, for fun. Then when I was in college I played for homework and for groups and for credit. But I still had time to play for fun. When the kids were small I played for their fun and entertainment and for myself. I played for worship and I enjoyed it very much. I miss it. Music was my biggest passion for most of my life.
But as with some passions, the cares of the world get in the way. The need to earn money steals away most of my time but I need to spend more time doing what I am passionate about. What should I do? Definitely spend more time playing the piano, perfecting a concerto or two, learning new worship songs and remembering the joy in music.
Is there something else? What am I passionate about? I love to write, as you might have noticed. Maybe I should concentrate more on my writing? It gives me satisfaction to write out what I am thinking and try to organize my thoughts into something that might help someone else.
I recently read that a life without passion leads to depression. There is nothing to look forward to do. There is nothing that holds excitement. There is a need for something to fill the emptiness inside. I want to have a passion for things in my life. I don’t want my work to suck the life out of me. I want to be able to have something to get up in the morning and smile about.
God gave me gifts as he has given to all of us. These are the things I can do. These are the things I am good at. These are the things I love to do. These are the things that fulfill me. I need a passion in my life. I need the passion of God burning inside me.
Whether it is teaching or making music, writing or handing out bulletins, sharing with kids of any age or building a house, I need to find it. God, help me find passion in knowing you and sharing you with others. Help me to find ways to share that passion that will satisfy me and complete me. Teach me God, so that I can teach others.
2 Corinthians 11:1a Will you put up with a little foolish aside from me? Please, just for a moment. The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much—this is the passion of God burning inside me!
Ephesians 3:7 This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God’s way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.
1 Peter 4:7-8 Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it.
