As Christians, we all have different passions but share the same over-arching purpose. So how can we get passionate about the things we're called to do by Christ, even when the ways to fulfil these commands don't appeal to our natural or existing capabilities and interests?
Even if we have little or no enthusiasm about some of the things that we're instructed to do via God's Word, we still have a passion for Christ. As long as that remains we'll find a way to overcome the obstacles we have in obeying Him.
Working to fulfil our purpose doesn't necessarily mean that we have to wave goodbye to the things that we find entertaining and enjoyable. And where it does, these passions will be replaced with ones that are much greater (Hebrews 11:40).
Here are three reasons why we shouldn't be ruled by our passions but guided by our purpose instead.
Purpose leads to passion
We might not initially have a great interest in a particular task that God calls us to do – be it evangelising, sung worship or Bible study – and this is often due to our inability to see how important that activity is to furthering God's will for our lives and those of others.
Once we're able to recognise the purpose of a particular activity in the sense of how it supports the aims of God's will as set out in the Bible, we open ourselves up to develop a passion for it.
By pursuing the things that God has instructed us to, we'll also find that we'll discover new passions connected to these commands along the way.
Our purpose is set
Our passions may change over time. Have you ever sat down to watch a film or TV show that you loved as a child or listen to an album by a band that you were obsessed with as a child and failed to see what had you hooked in the first place? Not all of the activities and interests that we once found enjoyable as a child or teenager would hold our attention anymore as we enter adulthood.
Unlike our passions which may come and go, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). And just as Jesus doesn't change, neither do the instructions He has for us. We can't always trust that what we're passionate about is something which complements or furthers our spiritual growth. But we can trust in Him, and that means we're always secure by following the path He has set.
Purpose has promise
It is self-serving to do something solely because we enjoy doing it. When our actions are driven completely by passion alone and are devoid of purpose, apart from the purpose to satisfy our own desires, we lose sight of acting to honour God with our deeds.
In contrast to acts which are motivated completely by passion, when we commit to those which are done in accordance with our purpose – everything from sharing news of Jesus Christ to extending Christ-like love to others – we can be assured that they're actually going to serve God.
