What if … We Pursue Our Passions

Hi everyone! We’re almost halfway through this series, “What if … 10 ways to live well in today’s world.” So far, we’ve discussed the reality that doing something can be better than doing everything and how good enough can often be enough. We’ve explored the value of a nap and the importance of learning to be content. Today’s topic is one of my favorites…

What if we pursue our passions?

I’m writing this post from a hotel room in Auburn where my girl is at cheer camp. We’ve been consumed with all things cheerleader for the past few weeks and this week is the culmination of so much hard work by her and her squad.

Last night as I watched an arena full of cheerleaders practicing their cheers, dances, and stunts, I realized again how beautiful it is to see people who are chasing their dreams and pursuing their passions. But I also noticed all us moms and the other people sitting in the stands … and I thought about how often we are guilty of being in the stands when we could be in the game — watching others pursue their passions and failing to make time to pursue our own.

Life gets full of commitments, obligations, and responsibilities and we find ourselves with little time left for our own hobbies, interests, and passions. Earlier this year I read Jessica Turner’s book, The Fringe Hours. It was a reminder of what I already knew: making time for the things I love gives me a renewed energy for all of my life. {You can read my review of the book here.}

Jessica writes,

When you make room in your schedule to breathe, you make room for you.

Have you considered the ways doing those things you love, whether it’s reading a good novel or baking a loaf of bread or planting a cutting garden, makes room for you to breathe?

Far too often I think we feel guilty for doing the things we love, the things that energize us, the things that restore us, the things that allow us to breathe, because we know there are so many other things we need to do or ought to do. I believe this is one of the enemy’s greatest lies: that when we take time for ourselves and our passions we are selfish.

The enemy wants us to believe when we take time for ourselves we are selfish. Not true! http://wp.me/p3aJPA-22U Click To Tweet

Not true! God created us with unique giftedness and desires. That space inside me that loves to create word art from portions of Scripture is part of who He made me to be. My friend Kathy loves to get her hands in the dirt. Kristen creates in her kitchen. I have friends who make the most beautiful scrapbooks and others who love to run. All of these things take time. But they are valuable! When we pursue our passions we are embracing who God created us to be.

When we pursue our passions we are embracing who God created us to be! http://wp.me/p3aJPA-22U Click To Tweet

Last night I watched my girl cheer and my heart was about to explode. The joy I felt was a gift from the Lord and reminded me how much He has blessed me. Y’all, I believe God delights in watching us do those things we love and using the gifts He has given us. It pleases Him!

Next time you have a longing to do something you love, don’t talk yourself out of it. Don’t belittle the creative impulses inside you. Don’t diminish the joy you find in pursuing your passions. Instead, carve out that time and enjoy it.

xo,

Teri Lynne