If You Want to Live Your Passion, Something Has to Suffer

For those of you who are new to Life Compass, I write on Spirituality, Faith and Ethics on Sundays.  Here’s why.

We talk a lot about discovering and living your passion and purpose here at Life Compass Blog.  I recently stumbled across Webster’s definition of passion. I found it interesting in light of Easter, which is today, and thought I’d share it with you:

“Passion (noun): 1 a : the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death.”

Whether you follow Jesus Christ or not, reading Webster’s definition of passion reminded me that Christ’s life and teachings – as recorded in the Bible – are an excellent study about passion and purpose.  Kevin McCarthy, in The On-Purpose Person, explains why:

Let’s look at Jesus Christ’s life in human terms – the passion.  He is the best example of an On-Purpose Person.  He had a purpose he was willing to die for.  His mission was the cross.  His vision was salvation. He suffered betrayal, denial by his friends, humiliation, beatings, spitting, torture, crucifixion, and ultimately death. . . Read about Jesus in the New Testament, (Matthew 26-28).  You’ll learn that in going through the suffering of the cross there is another side – the resurrection.

To be honest, I hadn’t thought that achieving my passion or dream would require suffering.  But I’ve discovered that when you have a passion and know your purpose, some things have to suffer.  Even die.  You have to say “No” to the things that will hold you back from fulfilling your passion and purpose.  You have to give yourself more fully to the things that are on-target, and reject things that pull you away.

Reading this description of Christ’s passion really got me thinking and asking questions about my own life.  Do I really understand my passion and purpose?  Am I willing to suffer and pay the price for my passion, whatever the cost?

What about you?