"Delight yourself also in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Ps.37:4

The heart motivations and passions God has given us to fulfill His will for our lives, can lead us down some interesting paths. These paths may bring challenges, but they can also bring some incredible rewards!

We have a lot at stake. We have a calling and a destiny that is from God. We not only have been given desires, but abilities and gifts to carry out those desires. These are the guide within us to find a purposeful life. You could almost call it our "homing device" to direct us to our sought after destination.

Finding a Life of Purpose
It is amazing the things in our life that can help us find that life of purpose. Sometimes we may travel a rather straightforward journey, letting our desires and joys lead the way. Other times circumstances, perhaps beyond our control, may give birth to our life of purpose. Adversity and trial can be the crucible from which we find our mission and ourselves. Whatever our story may be, Gods dreams for us will always be bigger than we are--- and will require a walk of faith.

Are you a seeker, looking for "something" you could feel passionate about? Wouldnt you like to find the life that you could say, "This is me. This is what I was made for!" Isnt this better than spending a life of regret? What is so special about passion anyway? I would like to expand on it a bit. There are several things that come to mind:

• Passion is within us. It is there to point us toward a purpose or mission we could believe in, and the path we should follow.
• Passion can be identified when we discover what it is that motivates us the most.
• Passion is not about what we do. It is about doing what we are passionate about.
• Passion calls us to take risks, face challenges, and to trust God.
• Passion teaches us a lot about ourselves.
• Passion is used to serve and benefit others, and carry out the things God wants accomplished in the world.

One Womans Story
It is encouraging and helpful to hear the stories of those who have not left their heart desires and passions behind, but have followed those desires and found a fulfilling and meaningful life. Such women can inspire us and instruct us, as we attempt to bring our own heart along in our life journey. This one of the most important missions of our life, but it can also be one of the hardest to carry out! Many fail, and as Henry David Thoreau claimed, "live lives of quiet desperation."

Lets hear and benefit from someone who did step out to follow her dreams, or in Jan Carlbergs case, someone who saw her dreams start to gradually unfold before her. That often happens that as we keep doing the things we love, and find ourselves drawn to. Jan tells her story:

"When I was thirty six we moved east to Gordon College, where Jud became dean of the faculty A couple of years later, after our children were in school, I took a part-time job at the college working in campus activitieslater I became director of orientation, then assistant chaplain. Sometimes I spoke in chapel. This led to invitations from students to speak in their churches, opening up opportunities to speak nationally. I silently prayed, God, I could not have thought this up.

"Several years ago my husband became president of Gordon College. All my training in hospitality, meeting strangers, making friends, learning to adapt and flex prepared me for this newest stage. I love teaming up with Jud to tell and write the Gordon story. Its a fresh way to teach and encourage. It is my passion, my mission. I believe whatever motivates a person is his or her mission. Now my struggles are more with distinguishing the good from the best. Its about balance.

"Today I have a sense of harmony with what I do and how God made meI love being a wife and mom, but I also love using my gifts of writing, teaching, and encouraging To grow in love and knowledge of God is to learn to love and know Yourself, since we are made in the image of God.

"To other women I would say, dont be afraid to trust God with all your hearts desires, wishes, and fears discover your gifts, your mission, what energizes you, and dont be limited or driven by outside forces. Enjoy the journey." (From Follow Your Heart and Discover Gods Dream for You, p.126-128, by Judy Peterson.)

Hallowed Ground
In closing, I dont know how you will discover your own dreams and sense of mission. I do know that you can ask God to show you the purposes for your life, and the dreams and plans He has for the desires and abilities you have been given. Be open, like Jan, to how that might unfold. Dont overlook the deep desires in your heart. They are "hallowed ground." Find out why they are there! God wants to help you fulfill them.

Happy dream journey,

Judy Peterson

Copyright 2006 - Judy Peterson. All Rights Reserved.