Is It Sinful for Christians to Pursue Their Dreams?

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If you’ve yet to notice, I’m passionate about talking on the topic of pursuing dreams. I believe God has given each of us a gift. We all contain a desire that consumes every fiber of our being — a dream that has our hearts racing when we talk about it, when we imagine the dream coming to pass in our lives. 

And yet, the Bible says that the heart is deceitful (Jer. 17:9). Because of this, there are some Christians who believe it's sinful to follow the dreams that God has placed on our hearts.

My question is this: How does pursuing our dreams keep us from following Jesus? What if pursuing our dreams actually led us into a deeper relationship with Him and gave us the opportunity to spread the gospel?

I'm not saying we all deserve to live the lives we envision, or that we were only created to receive wonderful gifts from God and live a perfect and worry-free life. That's far from the truth. Anyone who knows The Word understands that we, as sinful human beings, never deserved Christ dying for us. And anyone who reads The Word knows that we live in a far from perfect world and will live imperfect lives.

But what if I told you that pursuing our dreams didn't have to do with us at all? What if I told you that it could actually be a part of the ministry work God has assigned for us to accomplish? 

1 Peter 4:10-11 says this (emphasis mine) --

Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace. Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.

The Bible makes it clear that God has given us gifts that can help build His Kingdom — but the only way that's possible is it the gift is put to use. If the gift remains idle, then it's useless. It isn't fulfilling its purpose or reaching its fullest potential. If we don't serve in the areas that God has gifted us to serve, then we aren't fulfilling the calling He has placed on our lives. 

Of course the enemy would want to make us feel guilty for pursuing our God-given desires. Of course he would want to make us believe that it's a waste of time. Satan knows that, if our gift is put to use, God's Kingdom could expand like wildfire. 

What would happen if, as a body, each of us tapped into the potential God has birthed within each of us and used it to spread His Kingdom? How many non-believers could we reach if we refused to settle for a passive lifestyle and instead we invested our time, money, and talents into making God famous?  

We aren't on this earth to simply make money, survive, and eventually pass away. God has given us work to do. How can we know what that work consists of? Often, it is stemmed to the dream placed within; the one that has grasped our hearts and refuses to let go.

That isn't to say that it's possible to become led astray by our heart's desires. This is why we do need to be careful and ask God which dream is the one He has placed on our hearts. Ask Him to give you the desires He wants you to have, and to remove the ones that are not from Him. 

Usually, the work He's given us to do will lie within our Sweet Spot: The area that combines our desires and our strengths. {If you aren't sure where your Sweet Spot lies, this free 7-page ebook might help.} 

Psalm 139:16 (NCV) says,

You saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.

Maybe the reason you’ve been drawn to writing is because it’s part of the story God has planned for you, the one that was written before you were born. And perhaps the pen will be the very tool that will allow you to spread His love throughout the entire earth.

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When we have a heavenly perspective of this earth — and when we tap into the gifts and desires and dreams God has planted within us — our God-given purpose will become more clear.  We might not know exactly what He has planned for us ten years down the road, but when we ask Him to give us His vision for our lives, He will allow the fog to dim just enough for us to know which step to take next. And then the next step. And then the one after that.

I challenge you to tap into the potential God has birthed inside of you. Discover those unique tools, strengths, and skills of yours.

Ephesians 3:20 (NCV) says, "With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine."

Notice that it doesn't say "With God's power working in us, WE can do...". It says with His power working in us, HE can do "much more than anything we can ask or imagine."


Perhaps the error isn't in Christians pursuing their heart's desires but in Christians pursuing their dreams for the wrong reasons. To glorify themselves. To make their own name known throughout the earth.  

But according to this scripture, it's not us who do the work, but Christ within us. We are nothing without Him. It has never been about us, our talents, our recognition, or our success. The whole purpose of this whole dream-chasing thing should be to accomplish the work God has assigned for us to do, the work that is going to make Him known throughout the earth. Because honestly? We would be nothing -- dust and ashes -- if it weren't for Him.

So those desires God's given you? Those strengths of yours? They are your Sweet Spots. And it's there that God’s ministry begins. Don’t ignore the fire He’s placed on your heart or the path He’s laid before you. Instead, ask Him to give you the desires He wants you to have and to remove the ones that aren't of Him. Ask Him to show you how you can use your Sweet Spot for His glory.


Then, watch and see how He takes your gifts and dreams and strengths and uses them to accomplish "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." (NIV, emphasis mine).


Tweetable:

Is It Sinful for Christians to Pursue Their Dreams? #amblogging #faith http://bit.ly/2cz0VpJ @TessaEmilyHall 

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Speaking of dreams . . . 

If you’ve been following my blog for a while now, you might know that the dream I held since I was 3-years-old was to become an author. I launched this blog in January 2010, at the age of 16, hoping to meet other writers journeying along the same path. I wanted an outlet to share what I was learning about the craft, encourage others in pursuit of their dreams, and to discuss scripture.

You can read more about my writing journey in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. 

As I mentioned in Part 3, my YA contemporary romance novel, UNWRITTEN MELODY, will be released this November by Clean Reads! I’m thrilled to share this story with the public. It’s a story that sparked in me when I was 17-years-old. I went into my bedroom, sat in my favorite writing chair, opened up my notebook, and spent an hour or so brainstorming what would become the first version of UNWRITTEN MELODY.

I'm humbled and beyond grateful to have met so many of you who have supported and encouraged me along the way. THANK YOU to all of my readers!


If you'd like to help me further this dream of mine ministry work — and possibly win gifts and prizes along the way — here's what you can do:

• Join Tessa's Team (my street team). Members receive exclusive, early updates on the publishing process, extra giveaways and contests, etc. 
• Join my mailing list. In the mailing list, you'll receive updates on the book's journey delivered straight to your inbox! (Don't worry, I never spam inboxes or share contact info.)
• Host a book/author spotlight on your blog. I can provide a pre-made interview and the blog materials for you to include in a post. Send an email if you're interested!
• Pin quotes from Unwritten Melody to a Pinterest board. Want sneak previews of the book? Check out its Pinterest board, and don't forget to re-pin the book's quotes! Every week, I'll add at least one new quote from the book. (The street team will always receive first look!)
• Tell your friends! There's nothing that helps an author's book release more than word-of-mouth promotion. If you enjoy my blog and/or Purple Moon, it'd be awesome if you could let your friends know about Unwritten Melody! The book releases in Kindle format on November 10th. They can follow this blog and my social media accounts (@tessaemilyhall) for updates!

A special thank you to all my readers!

Is It Possible to Dream Too Big?: Exciting Non-Writing-Related News!

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When we were kids, we had the tendency to dream big. Ask anyone under the age of 10 what they want to be when they grow up, and you'll probably receive some outlandish responses.  Of course, once we really do "grow up", our desires may change. Or we might start to realize just how crazy it was to assume, as a kid, that we could become an astronaut.

But why does dreaming big have to be considered "crazy"? Why is it that those who actually do strive to follow their dreams are considered illogical? 

One of the reasons, I believe, that we tend to take on this mindset is because ... well, who else do you know that is actually an actress? or a singer? or a professional ballerina? 

I am very thankful that I was raised in a home where my parents supported the dreams of me and my sisters. My mom would always tell us, "Someone has to do it. Why can't you?" If it wasn't for their belief in my writing, there is no way I would be where I am today. Because it is only those who believe they can pursue their dreams that actually end up achieving them. 

Personally, I believe that the desires on our hearts are there for a reason. Especially if, after years and years of praying over these desires, they still will not go away.  

For example: I grew up dreaming about becoming an author. I loved being able to interpret a story from marks printed on a page. I loved the way books felt to hold--the feel of their cover jackets. The smell of their pages. I loved the idea that one could create an entire world with using only a pencil and a paper.  I started working towards this dream at a young age. And I am glad that I did. Because if I hadn't, I would've probably became more "realistic". I would've focused on the probability of success rather than continue to persist. 

So I kept the vision of being an author in my mind as I worked towards making the dream a reality. 

And that reality came true when, at 19, I was able to hold Purple Moon in my hands for the very first time.   

However ... there is another dream that's been on my heart. And that passion, that dream of mine, is to work on Christian films--both as an actress, as well as a crew member.

Since I was seven, I've worked in theater productions and acting classes. I participated in a Christian theater group for years. In middle school, my mom would drive my sister and I to Atlanta on the weekends for auditions. In high school, I landed a small role in a short film and worked as an extra on set of The Blind Side and Get Low. 

Sorry for the awful quality ... haha! But this was when I was on set of Get Low, starring Bill Murray. I'm the one huddled underneath a jacket. It was freezing!

  I love it. I love losing myself yet finding myself in another character. I love discovering a story I can immerse myself in, just like I do when I read a book.  Because acting, to me, is similar to writing: It gives me the opportunity to help bring story come to life. One that has the potential to affect multiple lives of those whom I may never meet. 

Five years ago, however, I decided to put acting on the back burner and focus on writing. I knew that God could open the doors for that dream to come true when it was His time. 

Meanwhile, the passion never faded. I still dreamt of landing a role in a Christian film and spending hours upon hours on set with only caffeine as my fuel. I was still in love with the idea of working with other individuals who shared the same vision for a story, all of us using our own areas of expertise to put together a project that would bring glory to God. One that would become a vehicle in reaching others. I wanted to be apart of the process of moving people--whether my job was on screen or off screen. 

But the older I became, the more that "reality" began to sink in. I wondered if that was actually going to happen. Because that happens far too often when we "grow up", doesn't it?
God reminded me, however, that the passions He has given us -- beginning from a very young age -- are not there by coincidence.  
So I placed the dream in His hands. I asked Him to remove the desire if it was not in His will to fulfill. 
It never faded. Instead, the desire was stirred last December. So one day I decided to go online and search for Christian casting calls. 
I came across a casting from Faith Flix Films that had been posted just hours before. I quickly submitted my headshot and resume, and a few weeks later I received a response asking if I could submit a video audition. 
I did. A couple weeks later, I was offered a role. A small one, but a role nonetheless. (The producer made it clear to the actors that there is no "small" role in this film. =) )
Next month, I will be traveling to Nashville, TN to be apart of PROVIDENCE--both as an actress, as well as a Production Assistant. The movie will be produced by Faith Flix Films and hit theaters February 2016. 
{Side note: My best friend and fellow YA author, Caroline George, will work with me as a Production Assistant as well! She, too, has a passion for storytelling--both on paper and on screen.}

... But that's not all.
That same month -- in December -- I was cast in another film. As the main role. 
And, you guys ... this role is one that I am so very passionate about. It is a Christian film geared towards teenagers, and its message is one that is close to my heart. I cannot express how honored I am to be apart of this project. 
However, I cannot share all of the details. Not yet, anyway. But I will say that it is scheduled to film later this summer.
{Another side note: Caroline George will be apart of this film as well ... as my co-star! =) }

I am over-joyed. Still in awe that this passion, this dream of working on independent projects that will leave a big impact for God's Kingdom, is coming true. 
So now, back to the original question: Is it possible to dream too big?
Absolutely not. Not when God is first in our hearts {Matt. 6:33}. And not when we are in the center of His will. 
Because our Father -- the One who made galaxies and waterfalls and the ocean and the Grand Canyon and all of heaven and mankind and coffee (sorry, I had to) -- is capable of absolutely anything {Luke 1:37}.
And the desires that He has placed on your heart are not a coincidence (if you have placed them in God's hands and they have yet to fade). So don't ignore them by trying to think logically or realistically. 
All of this earth is a mission field. And by using the gifts God has entrusted you with, you become a missionary. Even if it is "just" a book. Even if it is "just" a film. 
And by doubting our dreams -- the ones that would ultimately bring Him glory -- we are ultimately doubting the power of our God. 

There are so many opportunities available out there. 
Besides, someone has to do it ... why can't it be you?
!  Are there any dreams you've buried over the years? Is there a passion that has stuck with you, an area that you're hoping to pursue? Let me know in the comments!

Can Creative People Make a Living Doing What They Love? {+Updates!}

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I have never had the desire to work at a "normal" career. While others my age were applying for jobs at sixteen, I was at home writing a book that I didn't make money from until three years later. 

I spoke with my mom about this the other day--how I don't think I would ever want a job that is unrelated to any of my passions. 

She told me she has always been the same way. 

Why sacrifice what you love in order to find a more "stable" job, especially when there are countless ways you can make money in your area of expertise?

Sure, it may be frightening when you try to make a living off of your creative field. But I don't think it's impossible.

In fact, my mom hasn't had a job unrelated to her passion since she was a teenager working at Burger King. 

Since then, she has made a living by making and selling cabbage patch dolls; painting the cuffs of socks (in the 90s); being an art director at a screen printing company; faux finishing and painting murals for homes, schools, and restaurants; teaching art lessons to kids; holding art camps; and is now beginning a new business in creating art kits for kids.

  Of course, I'm not saying that some people may have to work at a job unrelated to their art. At least for a season. 

But I believe that God has given each of us a gift, and it is our job to discover what that is and how to incorporate that into our career. 

I've never quite understood the concept behind working at a job you don't enjoy, just so you can have money, just so you can live survive ... and just so you can work at a job that you don't enjoy. 

Don't you think we were called to a greater purpose than to simply get by in life?

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Yes, it is risky to not have a stable income. 
But if you are creative, then use your creativity by figuring out how to make a living by doing what you love.

Who knows? You could become even better off financially if you do pursue your creative field than you would have in another. 

Sure, trying to make a living by doing what I love is a risk.  Yet it's a risk I'm willing to take. 

The creative life is exciting.

The possibilities of the ideas you could come up with are endless! You might even surprise yourself at the art you will produce.

Nothing compares to that feeling of brainstorming a new idea--whether it's for a new book, a business, an article, etc. And giving birth to it, watching it grow and take on a life of its own, is priceless.      The creative life is spontaneous. 

The beauty of art is that it isn't limited to a certain structure. Five years from now you could be in a completely different avenue in your career than you are today. 

New projects will come. An idea may spark in the most unlikeliest moments. Your career could bring you to mountaintops you didn't think were possible. That's what's so exciting about the creative life: it is constantly full of surprises. 

There is never a dull moment.  In the creative life, you always have something to look forward to--whether it is the birth of a new idea, anticipation of the future, watching a project take off, or hearing what others have said about your art. 

If you pursue a career in the arts, there will always be something to look forward to. 

♡ ♡ ♡

When Steve Jobs dropped out of college to begin Apple Inc., the odds were definitely not in his favor. 

But even when he could not find someone who would fund his company, he didn't give up. Jobs was determined to go against the standard way of living by pursuing his passion. 

If it hadn't been for that--as well as his creativity, passion, and perseverance--Apple Inc. would have have never been born.

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So don't ignore your desire to create by searching for a job that has nothing to do with your passions. 

Besides, why settle when you can instead get paid doing what you love?

♡ ♡ ♡

Speaking of careers in the arts . . . 

I have a few updates I want to share with you guys!

• First of all, I've decided to start my very first online store. Zazzle is a site that allows you to create your own designs, upload them to various products, and sell them to customers. My products are for the book-lovers, coffee-lovers, and Jesus-lovers--hence the name Life, Literature, and Lattes. Click here to start shopping! 
• My mom and I are also gearing towards opening a shop on Etsy, in which we will sell hand-crafted journals. =) 
• I have my first speaking "gigs" next week--one at a homeschool group, and the other at the school that I graduated from. (Prayers are greatly appreciated!)
• Also . . . I have some really exciting news! Unfortunately, I can't share it with you until it is "officially" official. So I'll keep my mouth shut until then. But make sure to stay tuned on my blog, and sign up for my newsletter (located on the sidebar) so you don't miss any special announcements! =) 

(See? There is never a dull moment when you have a career in the arts. ;) )

♡ ♡ ♡
Do you think creative people can build a career around doing what they enjoy? Have you found success in doing this?

Capture a Vision, Create a Plan, & Pursue Your Dreams Today! {Free Download}

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I have always been an ambitious person. When people asked me as a teenager what I wanted to do after college, I could list about five different things, possibly more. (Of course, being an author was always at the top of my list!)


Maybe that's why I felt such a drive to pursue writing as a teenager. Since there are so many things I want to achieve in my life, why wouldn't I have wanted to get a head-start?


I don't think enough teenagers realize just how much potential they have. In high school, you have four years to discover your passions, four years to grow in your craft and to pursue your dreams. And yet so many teens don't take this time to their advantage. They assume that they can live on a day-by-day basis, waiting until they are an adult before taking life seriously. 


If you are a teenager, you can be wiser than that. You can tap into your potential. You can jumpstart your career and begin to pursue your dreams today. 

Do you know how much pressure would be taken off of you in the future if you did start today? You wouldn't have to worry so much about career options once you're in college. You would already have a pretty clear idea of what you want to do.


But the only way you can begin is by first capturing a vision, then creating a plan that will help you reach your goals.

The possibilities of what you could achieve in your lifetime--starting today--are endless.  However, pursuing your dreams can be a bit overwhelming ... especially if you don't even know what you want to pursue. That is why I am offering this free download. 

This 7-page download will help you: 

• Discover your passions and talents
• Choose a career that is suitable for you
• Capture a vision
• Create a plan
• Set goals
• Break down the process so your dream is achievable
• Stay motivated, inspired, and focused

You don't have to be the same as others your age. You don't have to wait until you are in college before you wonder what you want to do for the rest of your life.

If you begin to plant your dreams during your teen years, you will notice a harvest much sooner in life than most people. 

However, you can't just give up if you don't see immediate results. You need to continue watering those seeds day-by-day, allowing them to grow, and having faith that one day you will reap the benefits. There is nothing wrong with dreaming, especially if you're a young person.  But there will come a time when you need to wake up long enough to pursue those dreams.  If you are interested in beginning today, print out these pages. I recommend that you keep them in a binder and refer to them any time you may feel tempted to give up, any time you are not inspired, or any time you just need a fresh reminder of your vision. Ready to get started? Click here to download the pages!  Feel free to let me know if you have any questions. I will be happy to assist you in any way that I can! =) 
♡ ♡ ♡
What is the one dream that has always been on your heart? Do you have one dream you would like to pursue or multiple dreams?

What's Holding You Back?: Win a signed copy of Purple Moon!

Have you ever noticed that it’s the strong-willed guy who is determined not to give up who always wins a race? It’s never the one who gives up in middle of a race because he twists an ankle or starts having doubts that he’ll win. The winner of a race is always the guy who is determined to win, despite any injuries he may get along the way.

We could all learn from that guy. Not just for life in general, or in our relationship with God—keep on going when the going gets rough—but keep stretching towards the goal of your dreams, despite what may be holding you back. It may not be a twisted ankle, but it could be a rejection. It may not be a pulled muscle, but it could be discouraging words from someone who has told you that you’ll never reach the finish line. (Continue reading)

Be sure to visit Rachelle Rea's blog for a chance to win a signed copy of Purple Moon!

What’s Keeping You From Pursuing Your Dreams?

When we were kids, we had multiple dreams. Some far-fetched, some realistic. We were planning on being an astronaut, a rockstar,  or a teacher. Perhaps some of us may have wanted to be all three. (I personally wanted to be an angel, a ballerina, and an author. At least I pursued the last one!)

What happened to these dreams as we grew older? Since we had a big imagination when we were little, we believed that we could do anything when we "grew up". But once we actually did grow up, we started to realize just how unrealistic our dreams were. They might even seem a little silly when you look back.

Of course, some of the dreams we had when we were a little silly, and not exactly "God-given". Sometimes a kid might want to become a president, but once he becomes a teenager, he finds that he really doesn't care much for politics. (And as I got older, I started realizing that ballet was definitely not something I was interested in.)

But what if a certain dream of yours hasn't gone away? What if, over the years, the passion has remained—yet you still haven't pursued it?

Something I absolutely hate is when I see people not pursuing the thing they are most passionate about. The thing that gives them a certain rush of excitement just thinking about it. Instead, they throw their talent away. They throw away all of the good opportunities that they could've had in the future. But why?

What keeps people from pursuing their dreams?

• The dream seems impossible. They're focusing on the probability of succeeding.
• They’ve become impatient and have given up. They failed to persevere.
• They don't think they're good enough.
• They've allowed fear to hold them back.

I’m not saying that we should go after every desire we may have. It may not be a God-given gift of yours. However, if you believe that it really is the desire that God has placed on your heart, then it's probably there for a reason. Don't just ignore it and throw it away along with all your other childhood dreams. Give it to God. He will show you if it’s your calling, something you should pursue. If the desire just will not go away and you feel like it’s time to pursue it, then ask God to open the right doors in His timing.

Yes, it may seem impossible. But remember that nothing is impossible with God. No matter how unlikely something seems, God can always make a way. Especially if it includes the plans that he has for you. My mom always reminds me that someone has to do it. How did the president get to where he is now? By taking the first step. It all starts with a dream. Of course, there will be obstacles involved. Pursuing a dream never comes easy. But remember that you have to persevere  no matter what gets in the way. And definitely do not allow yourself to recoil due to fear. If your passion is big enough, and you feel as if it could be your calling, then nothing should hold you back. Not even fear. No amount of rejection or criticism should keep you from keeping on. If you want it bad enough, you'll do whatever it takes to get there. Yes, you may be afraid. But do it anyway.

 "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway."
~John Wayne

Take action in pursuing your dream. Don't look at the fears, the obstacles, the probability of succeeding. Instead, focus on the goal ahead. It might take a while to reach the goal, but once you take your first step, you're already on your way and your journey has begun.

"Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear… any action is better than no action at all."
~Norman Vincent Peale

If it is God’s time, then don’t listen to those who might say you’re too young or too old to pursue your dream. Everyone starts somewhere, at some point. There is no age limit to the gifts that God has given us. Listen to what He's telling you, not them. And if you do, in fact, feel like now is the time to pursue this dream—then go for it! It is never too early or too late to pursue your gift.

Also, keep a positive attitude about the journey. Keep praying. Keep persevering, working and growing in your craft daily. Don’t procrastinate. Let go of the fear of rejection, fear of not making it, and the fear of not being good enough. I believe that the three ingredients to becoming successful in the gift God has given us is prayer, passion, and perseverance.  

"Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with the inner drive, go much farther than people with vastly superior talent."
~Sophia Loren

If you want to write books, you must start somewhere. If you want to be a singer, you must start somewhere. When it's time, God will open the right doors for you. But go ahead and do what you can now. If God has given you a gift, you're going against His Word and His Will by not using it. And if you're not pursuing your gift due to any of the above reasons, you're basically telling God that you don't believe He is All Powerful. Don't you know that if He has given you the desire, then you are good enough, and that He will bring it to fruition, no matter how impossible it seems? You have to believe in yourself and trust God to make a way.

"You must take action in order to become who you desire to be."
~John C. Maxwell

Your prayer, passion, and perseverance will eventually pay off. Focus on the size of your passion and the size of your God. Don't allow yourself to become discouraged because of yourself or anyone else. No one has ever been rewarded for quitting or never even beginning. Step out in faith, knowing that God will be with you through it all. And with Him, you can face the rejection. You can face the critics. Because God will be holding your hand all throughout the journey. No, it may not always be comfortable, and it certainly won't be easy. In fact, it'll be painful at times. But you must keep your eyes on God only. Ask Him to give you courage and the faith that you need in order to succeed.

 "What would you rather live with? The pain of risk or the pain of regret?"
~John C. Maxwell

How Passion Can Provide Determination To Reach Your Destination

I’ve never quite understood people who participate in running “for fun”. How can running for a long period of time, even when it's scorching hot outside and your legs are cramping as sweat is trickling down your forehead possibly be considered as fun? Apparently these difficulties that come from running a race is nothing compared to the passion that runners have. And that’s what keeps them going. Without this passion, it’s impossible for them to persevere. But how is it that passion is what keeps us going?

1. Passion provides perseverance. And although the process of running may include broken ankles and tired legs, runners continue to run—no matter how hot the sun may be, no matter what obstacles may get thrown along their paths. Why? Because the fire that’s inside of them is bigger than the challenge they may have to face in order to reach the finish line.
2. Passion is enthusiasm,and enthusiasm is what energizes a person to keep on running. It’s also determination to reach your destination, and to continue going even after you’ve arrived.
3. Passion creates fire. It’s what drives a runner to keep on running. But the flame that’s inside of someone won’t get bigger unless it’s fed. If you fail to feed your fire, it’ll die, and you won’t have the strength to get over the obstacles nor will you reach your finish line. Those who are seriously passionate about what they’re doing will reach the finish line, no matter what it takes.

How can one achieve their dream if they lack passion? As writers, passion is a necessity not only to keep going, but to connect with our readers and keep them reading what we write. This quote by Eleanor Doan explains this clearly:

“You cannot kindle a fire in any other heart until it is burning within your own.”

Think about the finish line illustration again. Now imagine that there are two people running a race against each other—one that is passionate about running and reaching the finish line, and one who is only running the race just so he can receive a shiny trophy to display. The road that they must run on is long and the race is very challenging with many obstacles thrown along their path. However, the person who is passionate about running is going to enjoy the journey more and it will be less-difficult for that person than for the other one who has no passion for running whatsoever, but is only in it for the prize.

Once you find what it is that drives you, take the steps needed in order to feed that fire. Because although your dream may seem glamorous, I highly doubt the road to any finish line is going to be easy. That’s why you must keep feeding your fire. If your dream is to become a published author one day, then read books. Listen to music. Take walks. Observe other people. And most importantly, spend time with your Creator.

I’ve always been a big believer in dreaming big. If you don’t dream big then the chances of you ever succeeding in life are very slim. So go after what your heart desires and pursue what it is that drives you. If you obtain this kind of perseverance, I’m sure that you’ll reach the finish line just as long as you keep God first and never quit running.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

~Hebrews 12:1

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What does having passion mean to you? What is it that drives you to keep running? What steps can you take to feed that fire?

EDIT: There will be no post Monday, July 4th. Happy Independence Day!