While preparing for a student conference in November, I was looking through some resources that our 100% Sent team created to help students with their transition. One document is designed to help them identify their passions in order to steer them towards their God-given calling with these questions:
- If you were asked to create a TV special about something that moves you, what would it be about?
- What magazines intrigue you most at a newsstand? What sections or articles most catch your attention?
- If you started a business or organization to solve a need, what would it be?
- What issue would you like to see someone write a bestselling book about?
- What biblical passages has God used deeply in your life?
- How have the passages shaped your view of life and the world?
- What ignites the passion of your life and excites you when you think about doing it for a vocation?
- What rewarding experiences has God given you that may have been preparation for your future?
- How has God used you significantly in the past?
- What are the things that make you feel the most alive when you participate in them?
- In what ways do you most enjoy giving yourself away to others?
- Who are the people you find yourself voluntarily getting together with, again and again, for
deeper discussions? What are your deepest discussions about?
- How would you use a gift of a million dollars if it had to be given away to a cause that moves
you?
- Is there any need or problem you believe in so strongly that you’d love to work at it full-time?
As you read these questions, you probably noticed some themes. These may point to some passions in your life. For me, the recurring theme was
modern-day slavery. At that moment, I felt the Lord say, "What are you doing about it?" My answer was, "Not much." A few years ago we had become aware of this atrocity and began supporting
International Justice Mission (IJM) financially to help them fight this injustice. I felt the Lord saying that He had put this passion on my heart and I needed to act on it, so I began praying about how I could
practically get involved.
About a week later, a local organization, Florida Abolitionist (FA), held a movie screening about sex slavery called
Nefarious. I learned even more about the evil that is modern-day slavery and met the founder of FA. I told him about my passion to get involved right away so he invited me to join him on a "street outreach" the next day. We went to an area of town that is known for prostitution and talked with hotel managers to raise their awareness of the situation and gave them information about who to contact if they saw anything suspicious. I was diving in head first, it was overwhelming but great and I learned a lot that day.
Since then, I have been able to remain involved with FA and have been working to launch a justice movement at our church. In the fall, I'm also going to begin working with the partnership Cru has with IJM to help launch justice movements on campuses and incorporate 100% Sent by helping graduates with this passion connect to local opportunities.
Through the process, the Lord has opened my eyes greatly to His heart. I see His desire for justice and mercy as he displayed both when Jesus took the penalty of our sin and set us free from our captivity on the cross. I see His love for the "least of these" as we follow Jesus' lead in not only proclaiming the gospel but demonstrating it through acts of love to those in need.
The good news is more than a message, it is tangible as God's Kingdom comes to earth. Jesus has set me free and is calling me to set others free, both physically and spiritually.
Maybe the same questions that have uncovered this passion in my life will help you. What are you passionate about???
