A Passion for People

Wrestling with my faith, my life, and all that passes through each day, I sit here fully knowing that I am a blessed man, even when life can be full of 'turmoil'. Coming to terms with what seems to be the end of yet another career and the start of another, an appearing open-ended, full on adventure (as if my other choices of employment haven't been?), I still stand amazed and blessed! I have been blessed with passion for my craft, whether it was woodworking, teaching or music and writing (the latter two are more hobby than income generation...yet). My passion for learning new things, being stretched in new ways and even for 'discomforts' in illness and transition of the living of life, meets well with my desire and passion for the leading of God himself through my days as long as they last.

Previously I shared of worth and meaning in a life, yours and mine (well, more mine, you will have to fill in yours as a response to my musings). And, as I forge ahead in my adventure, you should yours as well. The question that should arise then,is how should and will my life press forward as one making a difference and how will and should it look? As I think about it, I find myself coming to the conclusion that there really isn't any time to waste, squander or 'let slip away' doing 'nothing'. I guess that is why I just don't watch hardly any television unless I am doing something (usually watching one of the several cooking programs while preparing the evening meal). It is also why I blog, and write, both prose and poetry why I practice my musical instruments, why I move through my days helping at my church and in the lives of others.

And here is where today's focus lands...investing in the needs of others. I have found that throughout my career choices, and 'doings', the common thread, the passion that made those jobs meaningful were and remain the relationships I enjoyed as part of the 'work'. God has used me to also bring a love for reaching out and building relationships into others, getting them to start doing the same, even if they do not have the 'affinity' to do so. I have seen Him transform lives, especially mine, as together He shows us how to love one another.

Now, I wish I did a great job at this, but find myself improving and moving in the right direction even through mistakes and blunders. I also find that people enjoy the risk of someone caring rather than resting on my comfortable 'easy chair' at my computer. But even this blog stands as what I hope is a part of multiplying community and the passion I have, caring for people. Musically, my horns and guitars are tools. I can choose to use them selfishly for my own personal enjoyment and edification, or develop my skills as a means to help others find pleasure and resonation with my heart of passion as well; a passion first for God, and then for people, all people as He leads me through each day.

Our jobs, doing the laundry, dishes, homework or shopping can become empty tasks if we let them. However, if we see these things as part of the praise and worship of God, and also as a means to help others find pleasure and resonation with our hearts of service and care, this world would be transformed by loving connections, deep connections to good, in spite of turmoil. This passion for God and people will then lead to passionate peace. We can be a part of His transformation of our world, one person at a time if we would just live with a passion for people connected to God's passion for people. It is the thread of life for me, how about you?