Weekly Thought – July 26, 2022
Fred respected talent. He identified passion and vision as two common elements of high achievers. During his life he enjoyed conversations exploring facets of leadership. His ability to recognize principles and catalog them for the benefit of many was part of his giftedness.
Is My Passion Focused?
Every effective leader is imbued with passion. An accomplishment is often to direct proportion to the amount and intensity of the leader’s passion. It is contagious; it gives hope; it sustains in difficult times.
I like this definition: “Passion is concentrated wisdom with high energy in the pursuit of meaning.” My good friend, theologian Dr Ramesh Richard, said: “First in life, decide on your passion. What is your first love? If you have multiple passions, you’ll be ripped to pieces internally, resulting in a fragmented, random life. If anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ is your first love, you will fall into idolatry.” This international proclaimer and professor verbalizes it this way: “to make God look good and Christ well known.” In this he demonstrates his first love, his central passion. Christ is to be to focus – ensuring integrity of leadership.
The advantages of passion are many. It brings purpose, unity, intensity, and concentration. It leads to accomplishment. It gives intentionality to life. Passion gives depth, keeping us from the shallowness of mediocrity. With passion our life becomes a welder’s torch, rather than a grass fire.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn had an undying passion for truth and principle; Mother Teresa, a passion for the dying; Moody, Spurgeon and Graham – a passion for souls. I think about Edison’s persevering passion; and Churchills indomitable passion of will that gave the British their war stamina.
Those with exceptional passion receive it as a gift for they were created with this extraordinary capacity. They can unite the mind, heart, and spirit. They have the ability to lose themselves in a cause, dedicating their life to a single purpose. I think often of the Apostle Paul’s words: “This one thing I do.” He again spoke of his focus “I determine not to know anything but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
In leadership, focused passion accomplishes much more than merely considering an intellectual, scholarly approach.
This week carefully think about: 1) How clear am I about my passion? 2) Where is the intersection of my gifts, skills, purpose, and opportunities? 3) When do I vividly see the direction for my life?
Words of Wisdom: “Passion gives depth, keeping us from the shallowness of mediocrity.”
Wisdom from the Word: “But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end.”(Hebrews 6:11 NET Bible)