The Passion Within

I get to work pretty early in the morning - usually arriving two hours before I have to begin my work day. Why? So I can write these stories and do others things so I can spend my evenings with my wife.

There are a handful of other people already in the office when I get there at 6:00 AM. They are already at work, many of them putting in 10-hour days, 50-, even 60-hour work weeks. Why do they do that? Some work so much because the have to. But others work at their jobs because the love what they do. They have a passion!

Are you passionate about the work you do? Are you passionate about the job you have? If you are, congratulations!! You are one of the few who actually enjoy what they do to earn a living. The vast majority of us people however, are not thrilled with what we are doing in the workplace. We don't necessarily like the work, we HAVE to work, and quite honestly, most of us would rather be doing something else.

What do you enjoy doing? What is your passion? Do you have a passion? A gift from God? God promised that everyone who believes in Him will receive one!

"4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills." - 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Not all of these are given today. The working of miracles for example. Only God does that these days. But we can gain wisdom and knowledge. Even our faith in Christ comes from God's Holy Spirit.

"44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." - John 6:44

And how do we KNOW that we have received the Holy Spirit? We will be changed! And you should find yourself fitting the description God gave us.

"19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." - Galatians 5:19-26

Do you exhibit these nine examples of God's Holy Spirit in you? If you are a believer in Christ, you should. Or at least God should be refining you towards these characteristics. God takes our God-given gifts and talents and enhances them with the Holy Spirit.

What is YOUR passion? What are YOUR gifts? They were given to you by God . . . for a purpose.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16

Let YOUR light shine in this dark world. The contrast will be most evident, for all to see. Attribute ALL these things to God. That is where they came from. Use your gifts for God's glory. Anything else is a waste. Use you passion for God, not for yourself. It is a gift from God to be shared with the whole world! :)

So today, examine yourself. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? How can you combine your passion and your talent to glorify God. That's why you were given His gifts and His Spirit - to glorify God. :)

Fruit Of The Spirit - Go Fish