Alan Cohen writes, "Your soul has a song....When you're in touch with your joy and act upon it, your heart feels full and your life is rewarding. When you're disconnected from your passion, you feel empty, your life is frustrating, and you wonder what you're doing here."
He's referring to what you do--whether it concerns your occupation or advocation. I've certainly experienced this. There are certain activities that bring me great joy. Being a Mom to these three little boys was one of them....
....and that's a great illustration for the point I'm going to make. If we find our joy in what we do, or what we have, or what we are, it can all change in a moment. My boys took years to grow up, but only a moment to leave home--the point at which I knew I no longer had certain rights in their lives. People lose their jobs in an instant all the time. Their possessions can be stolen or lost in a fire or some other disaster. They can lose their good health or use of their limbs.....or grow old. As the writer of Ecclesiastes 1:2 says, "Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. 'Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.'" Some translations use the word "vanity."
But if I look at Cohen's words from a different perspective every-
thing changes. If you take his words, "When you're disconnected from your passion" and substitute "Christ" for "passion" it takes on a whole new meaning. If Christ is your passion, I can tell you that you will experience joy to its fullest extent. It will happen while you're doing a job you love or one you hate. It will happen while you're driving that brand new car or the beat-up one that's not very dependable. It will happen while you're young and fit or when you've grown old and feeble. If your passion is Christ, then you won't have to worry about the rust and moths or thieves Matthew 6:19 speaks of. You can count everything as joy because He is able and willing to do for us as we need.
Father, "circumstances" comes from a combination of "around" and "stand." This is a good reminder that "what goes around comes around." If I depend on circumstances to find my joy, it is indeed shaky ground, for circumstances can change. May my passion be only for You....then I can enJOY the life that comes from You.
Link to scripture: Philippians 4:4
Take action:
He's referring to what you do--whether it concerns your occupation or advocation. I've certainly experienced this. There are certain activities that bring me great joy. Being a Mom to these three little boys was one of them....
....and that's a great illustration for the point I'm going to make. If we find our joy in what we do, or what we have, or what we are, it can all change in a moment. My boys took years to grow up, but only a moment to leave home--the point at which I knew I no longer had certain rights in their lives. People lose their jobs in an instant all the time. Their possessions can be stolen or lost in a fire or some other disaster. They can lose their good health or use of their limbs.....or grow old. As the writer of Ecclesiastes 1:2 says, "Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. 'Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.'" Some translations use the word "vanity."
But if I look at Cohen's words from a different perspective every-
thing changes. If you take his words, "When you're disconnected from your passion" and substitute "Christ" for "passion" it takes on a whole new meaning. If Christ is your passion, I can tell you that you will experience joy to its fullest extent. It will happen while you're doing a job you love or one you hate. It will happen while you're driving that brand new car or the beat-up one that's not very dependable. It will happen while you're young and fit or when you've grown old and feeble. If your passion is Christ, then you won't have to worry about the rust and moths or thieves Matthew 6:19 speaks of. You can count everything as joy because He is able and willing to do for us as we need.
Father, "circumstances" comes from a combination of "around" and "stand." This is a good reminder that "what goes around comes around." If I depend on circumstances to find my joy, it is indeed shaky ground, for circumstances can change. May my passion be only for You....then I can enJOY the life that comes from You.
Link to scripture: Philippians 4:4
Take action:
Beautifully said, Cathy! Just so true! Connect with your passion and live it out for a fulfilled life! xo
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe God gives us the desires of our hearts when those desires are placed there by Him!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful reminder. It does bring joy to put Him first. This is a beautiful post. I hope you have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteYes, Lisa, it seems we all need reminding where Joy can always be found. It's much too easy to get lost in the minutiae of daily life and forget the greater picture!
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