What Is Your Passion?

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

"A passion is an intense drive that one has for a particular thing or activity. It consumes your thoughts during your down time if it's not your occupation. When people ask you what you're passionate about, you don't have to think about it."

This is how it was framed as the definition of having a Passion in life. So this is the working hypothesis I was hoping the thread would go from so that we're all on the same page in how we're defining, having a passion.

Yes, I am a minister, and love doing what I do. I am called, know that without a shadow of a doubt, but I wouldn't say it's my passion, working within the confines of the definition that was provided to me by the person who asked me the original question.

There is nothing that consumes my thoughts during my down time... I don't have down time. There is nothing that immediately jumps to mind if someone asked me what I'm passionate about.

I have a great love for ministry, my family, living right, and other things... but none of them are a passion for me. I don't think everyone has a passion, and don't think they are any worse off in life without one.

Someone posted they loved to see grass grow... cool, but that doesn't mean it's your passion just cause you love it.

Someone also asked about "obligations". Life is full of them! Life isn't about being happy and enjoying yourself, sometimes you get to do those things, and sometimes you don't. We are here for His Glory and His purpose, our agenda, wants, desires and even happiness are far down on the list most of the time. We're here to do right and be kingdom minded, not have a good time.

MY WHOLE POINT OF THE THREAD... is... working within the confines of the definition that my acquaintance provided, I answered them that I don't have a passion. And from that, this person seemed to infer that everyone MUST have a passion in life, or somehow they are less fullfilled in life. And I just don't buy that.

I've known my parents for 39 years, they've been married 48. I've never known either of them to have any passion about anything, but they have been wonderful, amazing parents. They have a successful marriage, and they are very happy and content.

Maybe just living is enough in itself for some of us, and we don't need the luxury of having a "passion" in life. Possibly???????

[MissBrattified]

Based on this definition:

"A passion is an intense drive that one has for a particular thing or activity. It consumes your thoughts during your down time if it's not your occupation. When people ask you what you're passionate about, you don't have to think about it."

I would still answer that my passions are:

God (and His Word), family, Music, home and garden and community outreach.

I have an intense drive for these particular things or activities and these are things that consume my thoughts and most of my time, the latter by design.

Are you sure you can't say with equal fervor that you are passionate about God, His Word and/or ministry? Your posts convey that.... It seems like on this thread that you're looking for a certain "feeling" and you've decided that you don't have that feeling about anything in your life, but I don't know if that's a good place to start with the analysis. Also, referencing your parents: if they've been married for 48 years and were good parents, I would say they are passionate about each other and passionate about you.

Passion isn't necessarily exhibited in flamboyant ways. A person who consistently and persistently pursues the same goals over the course of a lifetime is demonstrating that they are passionate about those goals. A person who stays loyal and true to the same people over the course of a lifetime is illustrating that they are passionate about those people.

If I were answering your acquaintance FOR you, based just on your posts on this forum and nothing else, I would say: "Yes, Bro. Robbins is passionate about God, God's Word, pursuing godliness...and a baby named Andrew and his family." You might say that you're not passionate about these things, but your "speech betrays you."

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Based on this definition:

"A passion is an intense drive that one has for a particular thing or activity. It consumes your thoughts during your down time if it's not your occupation. When people ask you what you're passionate about, you don't have to think about it."

I would still answer that my passions are:

God (and His Word), family, Music, home and garden and community outreach.

I have an intense drive for these particular things or activities and these are things that consume my thoughts and most of my time, the latter by design.

Are you sure you can't say with equal fervor that you are passionate about God, His Word and/or ministry? Your posts convey that.... It seems like on this thread that you're looking for a certain "feeling" and you've decided that you don't have that feeling about anything in your life, but I don't know if that's a good place to start with the analysis. Also, referencing your parents: if they've been married for 48 years and were good parents, I would say they are passionate about each other and passionate about you.

Passion isn't necessarily exhibited in flamboyant ways. A person who consistently and persistently pursues the same goals over the course of a lifetime is demonstrating that they are passionate about those goals. A person who stays loyal and true to the same people over the course of a lifetime is illustrating that they are passionate about those people.

If I were answering your acquaintance FOR you, based just on your posts on this forum and nothing else, I would say: "Yes, Bro. Robbins is passionate about God, God's Word, pursuing godliness...and a baby named Andrew and his family." You might say that you're not passionate about these things, but your "speech betrays you."

We'll just have to agree to disagree. Because under the definition my acquaintance gave me for passion, there is nothing or no one that fills that order in my life... and honestly, that's fine.

Not looking for a feeling, but I'm a black and white guy. And the definition he gave was pretty black and white, and there's really nothing that fits that for me.

My overall point, was this guy's reaction to me saying that I didn't have a passion, and that I thought many people I knew didn't have one was like..."that's horrible. They're missing out on so much of life." And I found his response to be sort of condescending.

He made it sound as if unless there was something you are passionate about in life, that your missing out, and I know so many that are examples of the opposite.

There's nothing wrong with just living life day to day, doing what your supposed to do, fulfilling the responsibilities and obligations of the day and doing right by people, and then going to bed and doing it all over again the next day.

I know some people that are passionate about fitness... it consumes them. Some about their hobbies. Some about their family or cooking... and bully for them. More power to them if they feel that's good for them... but not everyone has that... and there's nothing wrong with that... I suppose that's what I'm trying to say.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

We'll just have to agree to disagree. Because under the definition my acquaintance gave me for passion, there is nothing or no one that fills that order in my life... and honestly, that's fine.

Not looking for a feeling, but I'm a black and white guy. And the definition he gave was pretty black and white, and there's really nothing that fits that for me.

My overall point, was this guy's reaction to me saying that I didn't have a passion, and that I thought many people I knew didn't have one was like..."that's horrible. They're missing out on so much of life." And I found his response to be sort of condescending.

He made it sound as if unless there was something you are passionate about in life, that your missing out, and I know so many that are examples of the opposite.

There's nothing wrong with just living life day to day, doing what your supposed to do, fulfilling the responsibilities and obligations of the day and doing right by people, and then going to bed and doing it all over again the next day.

I know some people that are passionate about fitness... it consumes them. Some about their hobbies. Some about their family or cooking... and bully for them. More power to them if they feel that's good for them... but not everyone has that... and there's nothing wrong with that... I suppose that's what I'm trying to say.

Your aquaintence was probably not condecending he was probably incredulous.

Passion:
Synonyms
1. Strong feeling, fervor, zeal, ardor.

Antonyms
1. apathy.

Perhaps you are a little depressed. Therapy maybe? You are quite a young man to just plod along doing what is right with little joy in it. No judgement here Bro. Robbins just a sincere desire to not see you at the end of life having not really experienced it to the fullest. Christ came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

Peace to you.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

We'll just have to agree to disagree. Because under the definition my acquaintance gave me for passion, there is nothing or no one that fills that order in my life... and honestly, that's fine.

Not looking for a feeling, but I'm a black and white guy. And the definition he gave was pretty black and white, and there's really nothing that fits that for me.

My overall point, was this guy's reaction to me saying that I didn't have a passion, and that I thought many people I knew didn't have one was like..."that's horrible. They're missing out on so much of life." And I found his response to be sort of condescending.

He made it sound as if unless there was something you are passionate about in life, that your missing out, and I know so many that are examples of the opposite.

There's nothing wrong with just living life day to day, doing what your supposed to do, fulfilling the responsibilities and obligations of the day and doing right by people, and then going to bed and doing it all over again the next day.

I know some people that are passionate about fitness... it consumes them. Some about their hobbies. Some about their family or cooking... and bully for them. More power to them if they feel that's good for them... but not everyone has that... and there's nothing wrong with that... I suppose that's what I'm trying to say.

I guess we're just defining it differently--even using the spinoff definition that you gave. It seems to me like you're saying that it's fine to be content with regular old life (and I agree), and you're saying that that contentment with a plain, simple, unembellished life means there's no passion. (That's where I disagree.)

I DO agree that a person doesn't need to have spectacular hobbies or some recreational activity to be passionate about. I do think that we all have passions and that our lives reveal what those are--over time. That's where you and I will have to agree to disagree, I suppose. Some people are passionate about being lazy; some are passionate about being wasteful; some are passionate about drugs, alcohol or immorality. Not all passions are beneficial or wonderful; some are downright destructive. Still, if a person deliberately devotes time and effort to something, I believe it can be called "their passion."

I think I get what you're saying to your friend, though. That it's fine to be content with life as it is, and not have a lot of motivation to find some exceptional hobby or interest on the side? Maybe...

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

We didn't know. You weren't smiling in your avatar. LOL!

He's not? Looks like he's smiling to me!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Margies3

He's not? Looks like he's smiling to me!

Smiling AND no wrinkles!!!

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Smiling AND no wrinkles!!!

Would that we could all accomplish so easily, eh!

[Margies3]

Bro Robbins,
I have a question for you - You said you are a pastor. Are you the kind of pastor who would serve your church even if it meant you had to work a full time job outside of the church in order to provide for your family?

And I think I understood from someone on here that you have a son? Is that right? And you are not passionate about him??? Wow, would just leave me stunned. I don't know how anyone can be a parent and not be passionate about their children. Am I the only one who feels that way?

And I have to tell you - I would not have said I was "passionate" about my husband until the day came that I very nearly lost him to death. Since then, I have found out just exactly how passionate I do feel about him.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Margies3

Bro Robbins,
I have a question for you - You said you are a pastor. Are you the kind of pastor who would serve your church even if it meant you had to work a full time job outside of the church in order to provide for your family?

And I think I understood from someone on here that you have a son? Is that right? And you are not passionate about him??? Wow, would just leave me stunned. I don't know how anyone can be a parent and not be passionate about their children. Am I the only one who feels that way?

And I have to tell you - I would not have said I was "passionate" about my husband until the day came that I very nearly lost him to death. Since then, I have found out just exactly how passionate I do feel about him.

Sorry, but you misread some things... and if I gave any wrong impression, I apologize.

I have pastored, meaning Associate, Music Pastor, Staff Pastor and Executive Pastor, but have never been a Senior Pastor. I"m not qualified to pastor as I'm a single man and don't meet the Scriptural requirements. I do not currently pastor in any capacity and haven't for some time, so not sure where you got that.

I am a minister, and yes I work a full time secular job as well as ministerial duties. In most of my ministerial duties, I have been bi-vocational.

I do not have a son, never married, and no children. Have lived alone for 17 years.

I never said that I wasn't passionate in how I approach some things in my life... I would say that I am.

The question of the thread wasn't, is there anything you do passionately... It's What IS YOUR PASSION.

You can do things passionately, but not have any passions in your life. And that's me. There are things I will do with all my soul, mind and strength... as unto the Lord, but they certainly are not Passions in my life.