Day #19 – 30 Day Challenge

2015/September by Marji Laine 2 Comments

Continuing the topic of passions that we started yesterday, we’re further exploring them through an article, from the book Thirty Days of Devotion, entitled “Passions Used.”

This section is so key in finding God’s will/your path. I’ve encountered so many wonderful ladies who are burdened because they don’t know what God’s will for their lives is. (And I’ve so been there!)

I sure don’t have all the answers, but I know Who does. 😉

The scripture that highlighted today’s article perfectly addresses this issue. But keep in mind that God never reveals His plans to early. And yet, He is also never late with them.

I think about the verses about the farmer from James 5. He is patient, awaiting both the early and the late rains so that his harvest will have the best opportunity to be full and ripe. In this, our growing season, we have to focus our attentions on the Lord, do the work that we have a passion for, and trust that He’ll make His will clear when it comes time for us to take further action.

I dealt with that not too long ago. I struggled over a difficult decision, put it off for mover a month. It involved saying no to something and you already know how I dislike that. As sure as I was that I needed to make this break with a group, I hesitated. These were wonderful people, but the Lord had made it clear to me. Even my sweet hubby (my own personal spiritual thermometer) felt I should take this step.

So I did. I made the break without conflict and with all kindness and it was received in the same way. Two days later, I learned of an issue that, had I still been involved with the group, would have made me mad. (And I like conflict even less than saying no!) Two months afterward, the whole group broke up.

And I was spared from that heartbreak. Thank you, Lord!

The world says to follow your heart, but you can’t rely on emotions that change at the drop of a hat. The Christian view says to follow the Lord, but His ways are hard to decipher from time to time. I think He has set in place a method of doing both. If we focus on Him, He’ll put His path in our hearts in the form of our passions. And those things that we aren’t passionate about, we simply shouldn’t be doing.

Your Turn: When is it the hardest for you to say no to something?

Share your thoughts in the comments, and I hope you’ll get the chance to visit again tomorrow when will dig deeper into passions. Tomorrow’s article from Thirty Days of Devotion is “Passions Waiting.”