First Blog

Gifts without Passion

“If we focus only on our gifts without considering our passions, we are likely to experience regret. Far too many of us choose a career path or job, not because it’s part of our calling, but because it meets someone else’s expectation. Our aim, then, isn’t to fulfill our God-placed and God-honoring passions; rather, it’s to satisfy our parents or peers or even simply our bank account. But unless your work truly resonates with how God has made you in your inner being, you may well turn up at the end of your life with deep regret. Gifting without passion serves a function: but life and work isn’t meant to be merely functional.

Passion Without Gifts

Conversely, if we focus only on our passions and not on our gifts, then the likely result is resentment – not our own (we love doing it!), but others’. Take, for example, a passionate but rather un-gifted wedding planner. Because of your passion, a friend of yours might agree to let you plan her wedding. But if you are not so gifted with an aesthetic eye or organizational knack, you may very well experience resentment! Ideally, when working in your central calling, your passions are coupled with your gifting. Passion without gifting is a big heart with little hands: despite the ambition, you won’t get far. A sustainable and appreciated calling brings together our passions – what we enjoy doing – as well as our gifts – what others enjoy our doing.”

Excerpt taken from Ch.3 of Calling: God’s Blueprint for Your Life by Richard S. Park