Finding Your Passion

The trouble with inspiration is it rarely strikes when you can do anything about it. I had a great idea for a post topic and no time to write it. When I did find the time, the impetus was gone and I was left trying to recapture the shiny vision I remembered. This is my way of apologizing if this post goes awry.

Dave Ramsey says finding your passion leads to personal wealth (that's a paraphrase; take it with a grain of salt). When you work at what you love and value, it isn't work. It's fun. You get health benefits and generally financial benefits because your whole focus is on doing that thing you're passionate about.

It should be apparent by now writing is not my passion. I do it. I even flatter myself I do it rather well, but I am not consumed by it day and night (that's a good thing, for those of you who are wondering). I have a season for writing and seasons when I don't. That, to me, is not a passion.

Fact is, I've never found something I would consider a passion. FV comes close, but you can't make a living playing FV. I will admit, I've caught myself daydreaming about being a programmer for them. I have no idea how I would do that. I don't even know how to write a computer program, but my thoughts keep turning that way. What would it be like to create something like FV? Hmm.

I remember the first time I heard a radio commercial for Mercy Ships. These are privately-owned ships that travel the world offering free medical aide to people in third world countries. It's a mission ship, using physical assistance as a means of expressing Christ's love. Taking care of the body to reach the soul, as it were.

Oddly enough, I was fascinated. I thought, "That's something I would like to do."

Now, I have no idea if I'm cut out for medical assistance. I assume these missionaries experience some pretty horrific stuff as part of this ministry. Also, I have severe motion sickness. I nearly tossed french fries on the floating McDonalds in St. Louis, MO. I shudder to think what would happen to me on a ship. What would it be like to serve on a Mercy Ship? Hmm.

Gospel for Asia gives farm animals to members of the lowest caste in Asia, the dalits. These are the poorest of the poor, born into poverty and kept there by a religious and social system that worships karma and the status quo. These farm animals offer dalit families the chance to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. A pair of chickens provide eggs for food and a source of income. A water buffalo provides milk to drink and sell and the ability to farm more land and make more money.

I have daydreamed about working on one of those farms, breeding the animals that will help rescue a family from poverty, training people in caring for those animals. That to me seems a worthwhile and fascinating task in life. What would it be like to go to Asia as an animal missionary? Hmm.

So maybe it isn't that I don't have a passion. Maybe it's that I don't have enough passion.

See? When I was inspired I had a great ending for this. You'll have to make up your own. I'm going to work now.