Be Passionate

There are so many people today who are discouraged. Rightly so. There’s so much going on in our country alone that is discouraging. But that doesn’t mean we should give up and quit. It just means that we need to be even more passionate about our purpose in life. And we each have a purpose. Yet, more and more I’m finding that we get more discouraged every day and begin to lose not only the passion behind our purpose, but even our very hope in that purpose.

My pastor once said something during a sermon that hit me very profoundly. He said that we need to be passionate about our purpose. Whatever ministry we are in, we need to be passionate about it. We need to do it to finish strong. Don’t quit. Stand back up and finish, because we have so many witnesses who have gone before us who are cheering us on (see Hebrews 11).

We are all in the race. But it’s not a foot race. It’s spiritual. It’s actually a war. A spiritual war. We don’t have time to worry about what others think, or what they might say or do. Instead, we need to be encouraging each other and cheering each other on in whatever ministry or calling that God has placed us in. We need to be passionate about our purpose.

Where 2? Motorcycle Ministry @ where2.org

Are you passionate about your purpose today? Do you still have the drive you did in the beginning of your ministry? Or are you slacking off, concerned about what others might think if they saw just how passionate you really are about your calling? Do you worry that someone might get their feelings hurt if you aren’t as attentive to them as you once were? I’m not talking about your spouse or your kids or grand kids. I’m talking about friends, co-workers and such. Because if you are in ministry, your family should be backing you in support and prayer.

Being passionate about your purpose simply means that you run with the gusto and the faith that God gave you in the beginning of your mission. When God healed me in 2012 I was so on fire, excited, and passionate about what just happened that I was continually telling everyone I met what the Lord had done for me. I wanted to encourage everyone who crossed my path that Jesus wanted to heal them, too. Now? I still want to tell everyone, but there are times when the passion is a little dim. Why? Circumstances, people, and frankly just a tiredness that I feel often when I come in contact with others who are less than positive.

Where Do I Fit In? Ministry @ shelleywilburn.org

Should that stop me? NO! That shouldn’t stop you, either. We should all be passionate about the purpose God gave us. I pray every day, “Lord, keep us tied to our purpose.” That’s a humdinger right there. Staying tied to our purpose.

There is so much going on in our world today that would make is so easy for us to give up. And that’s exactly what the enemy of our soul wants to happen. If he can keep us from doing what we’re called to do, then those who live with no hope will never know that they were a breath away from the healing that Jesus wants to give them. Is it their fault? No. If we don’t tell others, it’s on us, and the fault lies on us. That’s something I am not willing to live or die with. So I press on, tired or not. Discouraged or not.

You see, when it comes right down to it, if I’m telling everyone I come in contact with about my healing, then I’m walking in my anointing. I’m being passionate about my purpose. I’m doing what God called me to do. I don’t have to make anyone believe me. I just have to put it out there. After that, it’s up to those who heard me whether they believe me or not; whether they accept the gift Jesus has for them. It’s their choice. If they don’t receive it, I’m not at fault.

It’s the same with you. Jesus has done something miraculous for all of us. He died for us. He willingly gave up His life so that we could have life. Then He rose from the grave, defeating death and hell! But we have to accept His free gift. When we do that; when we accept Him, when we allow Him to heal us, we are called to minister to others, to go out and tell them what He did for us. That’s our calling. That’s our purpose. Now, we also have special gifts to go along with that. Mine is to write and to preach about what He’s done for me. Yours may be different. But we’re to use those gifts and in using those, we walk in our purpose. That’s what becomes our passion.

I love my purpose. I love my Lord. And while the world is running amok and people are crying out about one problem after another, they forget that the Answer lies in Jesus. How can they call out to Him unless those of us who are called tell them? We have to be passionate about our purpose.

So if you’ve fallen down, let’s get back up. Brush yourself off. Stand tall. And run in your calling! Be passionate about your purpose today. And if someone doesn’t want to hear you or accept what you have to say, shake the dust off your shoes and move on. You’ll be better because of it.

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.