4 Ways to Have More Purpose and Passion in Life

I stroll down our country road as ribbons of fading daylight twirl through a canopy of maples. These lingering daylight hours offer ample time to step away and reflect on how to cultivate purpose and passion in life.

Life has been full and blessed lately. Summer feels like the season of abundance.  The house is filled with the noise of children.  Beagles howl in the backyard.  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.

How to Cultivate Purpose and Passion in Life

Close to twenty years later, I look back and realize that the 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 in life.

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 Click To Tweet

At 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.

Rediscovering Passion in Life

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 in life 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. Hold a door for a stranger.

. . . or let someone in front of you in traffic or in line at the store.

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. Cultivate your passion in life through encouragement.

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

God wants to speak into your life.  Will you respond to his invitation today?  I have a gift to help you respond today: My 10-day online devotional Fan the Flame.  This devotional offers dozens of practical ways to connect with God and hear what he wants to speak to you. Click here, and I will send this devotional directly to your email inbox.

These two books are free on Kindle Unlimited or available to purchase in print:

God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone.  Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life.  Find this life-changing book for free on the Kindle Unlimited plan or for 12.99 in print right here.  This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!

Calling all mothers and daughters!

Additionally, my 12-year-old daughter, Bekah, and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book to help mothers and daughters grow closer together while connecting with God.  Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a shared journaling section.  Multitudes of mothers, daughters, mentors, and younger women are being transformed by this book!  You can find your free Kindle Unlimited eBook or buy it in print for just 11.99 right here.