Passions that make
a difference doesn’t require crossing the ocean however, and teaching in a
foreign land. Consider Debbie Fields who
started her business selling homemade chocolate cookies that has grown into a
business of over 4,000 employees. Bill
Gates is another visionary who in eighth grade, being passionate about computers, designed early video games. We can’t
forget Walt Disney who was persistent with his art work and finally came up
with a Mickey Mouse animation that grew into a huge business!
Everyone likes
Kentucky Fried Chicken! Colonel Sanders
took a long ten year journey perfecting his “Secret Recipe” and selling each
piece of chicken for five cents before finally finding someone who believed in
him. The rest of that story is history! And finally, Shania Twain is another perfect
example of humble beginnings, who at age eight, sang in bars to help make money
for the family. It wasn’t until her
twenties before she made it to Nashville to become a huge star. There are plenty others who contend for role models as visionaries who didn't give up on their passion!
God has gifted
many of us with skills and talents we may not give a second thought to. We are skilled at mechanics, sewing or
quilting, cooking, teaching, conversing, cleaning, or a hundred other
skills. We may have a heart for the aged
or very young, those who are in prison, or the poor. We have expertise unique to us, in our area of
the world, in which we live! It’s when
we use the proficiencies, which are “acting on our Godly passions” to aid those
less fortunate, that we answer the call of God asking “Whom shall I send?”
Each of us are
afforded opportunities every day to act upon our personal abilities that would
in some way help another person, but very often we hold back because we are
worried about “political correctness” and wondering if there will be someone
who would misunderstand our motives.
Perhaps you’ve
even considered buying a sandwich in a fast food place for a homeless person,
or volunteer to serve food at a shelter, visit a children’s hospital, or
nursing home. Following through can be
daunting, considering the world we live in!
Certainly we all
have our “own worlds” that are nothing less than busy! It’s hard to find a time to commit to act on
our Godly passion, when our own family already needs us. But I encourage you to consider how you might
be able to encourage someone else. Send
that note or visit a nursing home, or even take food to a shut-in, in your very
own community. There are countless ways
to use your knowledge and capabilities to “love on” another person.
It’s during these
times “of loving,” God will shine brightly through you, and enable you to
share. People all around are starving to
be accepted and loved. It may not be
easy to reach out, but if you can pull on your courage, asking God to show you
how, your unique passion for your community will be a very special gift for
another person in need.
Happy Valentine’s
Day everyone! Share your passion…..share
your love!
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