Finding purpose in passion is a worthwhile topic to explore. After all, how often do we wonder if what we do or pursue throughout the day is truly adding value and meaning to our lives? Passion is a topic I often discuss and encourage others to actively pursue.
It’s important to note that, although passion and purpose are connected, they are distinct. So, how do we find purpose in our passions? Let’s break down what passion and purpose are first.
What Is Passion?
Passion is the activities, ideas, and pursuits that bring us joy and excitement. Oftentimes, our passions align with our natural abilities and interests. For example, as a tween, I loved making up plays and improvising in the backyard with my sister and cousins. As a teen, that pretend play turned into a passion for acting. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about the purpose behind my excitement and joy for acting.
What Is Purpose?
Purpose is the deeper “why” behind what we do. Purpose gives meaning to the passions we pursue. As I got older, I realized that God wanted me to pursue my acting dreams and move to Hollywood. I watched as my prayers were answered and He opened doors to my future. I vividly remember saying that I wanted to move to Hollywood to pursue acting, but I also wanted to make a positive impact in the entertainment industry. I didn’t realize it then, but that was me discovering meaning—or purpose—behind this passion pursuit of mine.
After moving to LA and pursuing my dreams, I even started a local talk show called Life Impact, where my guests shared how their stories made a positive impact on people’s lives. I’ve shared this before, but my first guest was a dear friend at the time, Sherri Shepherd. It was before we were moms, and when I look back, I see how God was shaping the future He wanted for me.
Finding Purpose in God-Led Passions
I believe that when we pursue our God-led passions, purpose becomes evident. Because I made an effort to pursue my God-led passions, I can look back and see how He shaped my life and revealed meaning and purpose in everything. We’ll often see how we touch and impact lives positively by pursuing the things that matter and make a difference. Our goal should be to make a positive impact in others’ lives with the passions we pursue. Purpose adds meaning and gives direction to our passions.
I’m not proclaiming that pursuing our passions leads to the ultimate purpose God has for our lives, but I do believe that pursuing God-led passions reveals different purposes along the way. For example, when my passion for acting waned, I developed a new passion for writing. That passion led me to join a small writing group at my church, where I met another young dreamer who had moved from Alabama to Hollywood to pursue his dreams. Because I was pursuing my God-led passions, I met and married the love of my life.
Related: You’ve Identified a Passion to Monetize Now What? Take These Steps to Monetize Your Passion
Practical Tips for Finding Purpose in Passion
- Pray and Ask God for Guidance – One of my favorite scriptures is Psalms 37:4, which says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” This doesn’t mean He’ll give us everything we want—it means He’ll place His desires in our hearts. When our desires align with His, we’ll see those desires fulfilled. Pursuing God’s desires for our lives assures us that there is purpose in what we do.
- Set Goals – Setting goals is crucial to seeing your dreams realized. Establish major goals and break them down into smaller, actionable steps to help you achieve your ultimate objective.
- Surround Yourself with Trustworthy People – Stay connected with individuals who share your values, encourage your pursuits, and offer constructive feedback. Accountability from trustworthy people is key to staying on track and growing.
- Prioritize Serving Others Through Your Passion – Reflect on your passions and consider how you can serve others with your gifts, talents, and expertise. Make it a priority to positively impact others through your passions.
Evolving Passions and Purpose
Passions and purpose often evolve over time. You’ll go through seasons of fear, imposter syndrome, and a lack of clarity. This is normal, but keep God involved at each step of your journey.
I remember being at a crossroads with my blog many years ago. I felt like I had lost passion for it. I believed God had given me the platform, but I was just going through the motions and not fully including Him in what I was doing. I had to seek His direction, and during that time, my passion came back with a vengeance. That’s when I felt led to start my podcast and reach a new segment of my audience.
For four years, I pursued this new passion, pouring into moms by providing expert advice on navigating the difficult parenting journey. I felt there was purpose in that because I was helping everyday moms with their parenting struggles.
Finding purpose in your passions is a journey of faith, reflection, and intentional action. As you pursue what brings you joy, let God guide your steps, set meaningful goals, surround yourself with the right people, and prioritize serving others. When passion meets purpose, the impact you make can transform not only your life but the lives of those around you.
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