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January 07, 2008

Living Life with Integrity, Living Life with Passion

by Shana Schutte

I recently spoke with a woman who told me that there are fifty "hot words" in marketing--words that advertisers believe are so powerful that they compel people to buy the product, take the trip or subscribe to the program. On this "hot list" is the word "passion."

I know, we've been programmed to think of passion mainly in a sexual context. But if you've lived long enough, you know that passion can also involve the calling God has placed on your life. When I think of living with passion, I think of being fully alive, and running headlong toward God's purpose for me. Ah! To live life with passion and purpose is to feel the heartbeat of God, to get close enough to Him so that we can hear His plans for us and embrace His vision.

Unfortunately, most of us live life with little passion. Perhaps like me, you've wondered why. I think there are many reasons. For example, we can feel stuck in the mud of the mundane, we become crippled by the criticism of others, or we wonder if our passion matters to anyone but us. But I think one of the biggest enemys of passion is a lack of integrity. Why? Because living life without integrity creates guilt and shame, which are the opposite of bold passion and purpose.

When God has instructed us how to live, and we're not obeying Him, the passionate fire that He wants to set ablaze in us to do His work is reduced to a tiny flame, or it's even snuffed out. Think about it. When was the last time that you did something wrong and you felt guilty? Wasn't there something in you that felt small and afraid? Didn't a part of you want to crawl under the nearest rock?

Thankfully, when we live life with integrity, we can become empowered by God to do His will and fulfill our calling with passion. Whether that means parenting teens, heading up an organization or writing a book. Living with integrity helps us keep a clear conscience and therefore, fan the flame of passion and purpose that God has placed in each of our hearts.

What's your passion? Has God created you to sing, teach, coach, buy, sell, trade, create, dance, lead or follow? Whatever it is, you can do it with gusto and passion when you color inside the lines of God's will, obey Him and live with integrity.

"Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyard, our vineyards

that are in bloom."

(Song of Solomon 2:15)