Passion...

Martin Luther had a desire. Hitler had a desire. Mao Tse-tung had a desire. Walt Disney had a desire. Erik Weihenmeyer had a desire. The list is endless, but the results are the same. Each of their achievements speaks for itself. Each started with a desire- good or bad.

It was passion however, that drove each to pursue their desires to the extent that they did. Passion became the fuel of their desire. Desire points the way, but passion carries a person beyond mediocrity, beyond adversity to achieve the extraordinary.

I remember meeting a gentleman several years ago who raised pigeons. He raised this unique breed for the sole purpose of competing. They were raised and trained to be taken, eventually, several hundred miles from their home and then released! These incredible birds knew exactly where they were headed and amazingly, knew the way to get there. You talk about having GPS! Of course, the purpose was to see who's pigeons arrived "home" first.

We too, need clear direction- a desire. But it will take more than just a desire. It took those pigeons a couple days to get to their destination. I suppose they could have settled down at any spot along their journey, but they'd been bred and trained to finish their race. Getting home was now "in them"- it had become instinctive. They weren't about to be detoured. We too, will need something extra to get us to our destination; and the more grand the desire the greater the need. That something will need to be passion! But how does one get passion?

Passion is a "heart-thing". It's a drive that originates from inside. In essence, you build your desire within before you ever attempt to start. Passion can however, be cultivated. By reading and studying what it is you want to accomplish you build an inner image. Spend time observing others who have thought or who think similarly. Train and practise whatever it is you want to accomplish. Eventually, passion will begin to push you beyond just imagining and drive you to the point of acting. That's when passion becomes the fuel of your desire.

So let the fire begin. But a word of caution: Once the fires of passion begin to burn, they can become difficult to put out!

Is there something you feel passionate about?

Where Are You Going?

You've probably heard it said, "If you don't know where you're going how will you know when you get there?" In the same way, if you don't set some goals or have direction for your life, how will you know when you've successfully accomplished your task? You could be wasting valuable time and energy as you wander aimlessly.

Successful people are successful on purpose, they've planned to get "there". Too often people get frustrated, discouraged and end up quiting not because of good intentions but because of poor direction...not having a clear goal. Having clear goals increases focus and helps you concentrate your energy; they help insure greater results.

As a believer in Christ, your first goal should be to consider Jesus "lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:3 NKJV). Get in the habit of looking to Him for guidance. He should of course, be the ultimate purpose to your life, but he also wants to help you get there. As author of many of those dreams and desires, he's committed to helping you on your journey to completion. He'll also teach you how to deal effectively with the frustrations and setbacks that arise along the way.

How are you going to accomplish those dreams? Start by clarifying your intentions on paper. Begin to set some goals. Even if you end up revising them, start by writing out your thoughts. Writing them out helps you capture what's going on inside.

Another tip to setting clear goals is to get additional input from someone you trust and can confide in, especially the larger the task. You might be surprised by what you can't see. An outside perspective can often provide an angle you hadn't thought of, but ultimately, it provides greater clarity.

Finally, J.C. Penney once said,"Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I'll give you a stock clerk." If you have hopes of a successful endeavor, plan on it by setting goals. They won't eliminate obstacles, but they can help insure you stay moving in the right direction to your success!

Breaking down the fence.

We all have comfort zones- those places of contentment where we're currently satisfied with the present. However, could these "zones" also be places we've completely surrounded with a fence of limitations. Too often, we settle for what is now. Do you have a longing to achieve more, to reach greater potential? Is there a fence that lies between you and a dream?

One of our more formidable "fences" we tolerate is fear. Fear paralyzes people from attaining their God-given dreams. As someone once said, "A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage." How often Jesus would say to those he was ministering to, "Fear not" or "Have no fear". He was well aware the impact fear had on the results.

Imagine how the dynamics could change if there was no such thing as fear- that is, unhealthy fear. Imagine living free of fear! We're not talking about a fear of rattlesnakes, heights or a high-voltage power source, but the opposite of faith. What kind of liberty would that bring to your life. Where would you venture to go? What would you venture to do?

Faith is going in the complete opposite direction of fear. Faith is a firm conviction- and expectation- in what is yet unseen. Fear is being motivated (or not) by what seems at the moment to be apparent. Like fear, faith is a powerful force; in fact, so powerful it can break down those fences we've allowed to encompass us. Faith in God's Word positions us to tap into God's ability, provision, and wisdom. No wonder Jesus said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God".

To attain to this kind of faith, we need to become acquainted with God and His Word. As we become keenly aware of what His Word declares we must purpose to walk it out. It's important to learn to do God's Word not just read it. Without taking action, faith is powerless. As we find ourselves stepping out, we can begin to move out past the fences that have been built up through the years.

Take courage today! Determine to know God and His Word and start the journey of tearing down some fences and living fear free!

Where do I start?

If I had only counted the times I've watched others accomplish greatness and thought, "I would've loved to have done that". My heart swells as I take account of those who have passionately pursued a dream- and succeeded. I've always had this affinity for people like that; people who've accomplished great things- things beyond the ordinary. I yearn to do likewise; I think I'm wired that way.

However, does accomplishing "great things" have to be relegated to a select few? I've never been content to live in the successes of others; and yet too often, I've found myself doing the very thing I don't like...sitting in the grandstands...watching...wishing, all along wanting to be on the field. I realize there are some who are content to watch. I'm not.

So what is it that moves some to get going, to elevate themselves above the mundane? I've thought about it many times. I mean, are certain people given special grace to scale the mountains that stood between them and their dreams? Obviously, people differ in ability. But surely it can't be as easy as the obvious...or can it?

When my wife and I set out to teach our sons to walk at 10 months old, there was nothing special that suddenly rose up inside. Not that I remember anyway! No goosebumps just bumps to the head and knees. However, after several weeks of hand holding and help, we realized it was time and they were ready. With a little coercing, they eventually started to take those first short steps. Wobbly though they were, they were their own! And those steps would soon transform their lives, elevating them to the next level of lifes experiences.

Could getting started toward the fulfilling of dreams be as simple and as close as just a few short, wobbly steps?