10 Bible Verses About Passion and Purpose in Life
I sit along the trickling creek as ribbons of fading daylight twirl through a canopy of maples. I’m here to talk to God about my life, and I’ve brought my Bible in search of Bible verses about passion and purpose in my life.
Life has been full and blessed lately.
The house is filled with the noise of children.
Our days are spent splashing in this creek and riding bikes along the winding path. We are surrounded by blessings.
These days with the kids also offer very little downtime. If I’m not preparing a meal for someone, I’m cleaning up or scooping food into a little mouth. If I’m not wiping sticky fingers, I’m cleaning apple juice off the floor, folding towels, or rocking the youngest.
I reflect on it all as I walk along the road. I think of Jesus’ words, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
I’ve spent years chasing purpose and passion in life through mountains, deserts, and tropical islands. I’ve chased passion by aiming to experience more, see more, and stretch my physical limits. I was inspired by these pursuits for a while, but none of them brought the lasting abundant life I craved.
10 Bible Verses About Passion and Purpose
Close to twenty years later, I realize that a passionate and purposeful life doesn’t come from experiencing more.
I don’t need to hike the Appalachian Trail or see the Seven Wonders of the World to inspire passion.
I live the most purposeful and passionate life by thinking of myself less and others more.
This generally looks like laying down my desires and looking for someone else to love.
The abundant life unfolds when I lay down my own desires and look for someone else to love, someone for whom I can sacrifice. #purposefullife #abundanceinlife #encounteringGod #lovingothers Share on XAt age 21, as Alaska’s Mount McKinley shined down upon my tent at two in the morning, I never dreamed I could step into a moment of greater joy and fullness.
I never dreamed that rocking my newborn in the tiny bedroom of a small home in western Pennsylvania could be more abundant than my encounter with the Mountain. (If you’re a tired mom in need of encouragement, join me here today.)
My current life of mothering and ministering to others is more difficult than those free-spirited days of solo hikes through Interior Alaska. But harder doesn’t mean less abundant. Sometimes the most difficult seasons are also the most abundant seasons.
With this in mind, let’s see what God’s Word has to say as we explore 10 Bible verses about passion and purpose.
10 Bible Verses About Passion and Purpose in Life
1. 1 Timothy 6:12 (ESV)
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
We cultivate passion and purpose when we cling to our faith and trust in God.
2. Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Passion is found through the countercultural act of laying our lives down for Jesus.
3. Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
If we truly want to live with purpose, we begin by opening God’s Word and asking him to renew our minds. Passion is found by aligning our minds with God’s mind.
4. Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus reminded us that our purpose is to make followers. We find purpose when we follow this command.
5. 1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
This verse reminds us to do everything, including eating and drinking, for God’s glory.
6. Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
This Word was spoken of the prophet Jeremiah, and it is true for all of God’s children.
God has had a plan for you since before you were born.
7. Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Did you know that God has planned good works for you to fulfill? Seek him and he will lead you into these works.
8. Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Passion and purpose are found by seeking God with our whole hearts. Everything else falls into place after this pursuit.
9. Mark 12:30-31
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.
Your purpose is two-fold: Love God and love others. Fulfill these two commands and you will fulfill God’s purpose for you.
10. Exodus 9:16
But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
We were all created to give God glory. When we remember this high calling, we find purpose and passion.
Let’s Apply These Bible Verses About Passion to Our Lives
Maybe you work long hours at a job that drains you.
You might be the caretaker for a family member, and you feel stuck and restless.
Perhaps this isn’t what you wanted your life to look like. You’re not sure how to renew your passion in life.
Friend, I have good news.
As the Proverb reminds us, “He who waters others will himself be watered” (Proverbs 11:25).
You will cultivate passion in life when you deliberately get yourself off your mind. Instead of thinking of yourself, go look for someone to love. Here are four very practical ways to do this:
1. Cultivate passion and purpose by finding a way to bless someone in your home today.
It’s often more difficult to bless those who live under the same roof than to offer a kind act to a stranger.
Deliberately do one thing to bless someone close to you today.
If you live alone, do something kind for a coworker or close friend. Grab an extra coffee, bake a batch of cookies, or offer to run an errand. You will refresh yourself in the process of refreshing someone else.
(If the idea of loving your people with a more gentle spirit strikes a chord, join me here.)
2. Extend kindness to a stranger.
Hold a door open at the store or let someone in front of you in traffic.
Deliberately put yourself second as you bless someone you don’t know.
This kind of outreach asks for nothing in return. It also shapes the heart of the giver. The more we learn to live with outward focus, always watching for the needs of others, the more our hearts begin to take on the shape of Christ’s heart.
3. Speak a kind word to a public servant.
This is simple and takes only a moment.
Thank the cashier for her service, stop to talk to the Veteran behind the table, or pay a compliment to the waitress.
Simply step outside of yourself and extend kindness to someone else who most likely goes overlooked throughout most of the day. These words of kindness bless the receivers as well as those who offer the kind words.
4. Share encouragement with someone who needs it.
Ask God to show you a friend or loved one who needs encouragement. Send a text, or send a card in the mail.
Snail mail is beginning to feel obsolete in a technological age. I have one friend who often sends sweet cards in the mail. It makes my day to read her kind words in the midst of my stack of bills.
Write an encouraging note and send it to someone you love. You will uplift two spirits in the process, yours and the recipient’s.
A Free Devotional to Help You Connect With God and Deepen Your Passion in Life
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