Following the Passions of our Hearts

Psalm 139 tells us that God knit each of us together while still in our mother's womb.  What a fantastic concept to understand.  Part of that knitting together is beyond just the physical features but also the mind, will, emotions, gifts, talents, and passions that He chose for me and you to have.  He decided early on that I would have a gift for photography, a passion for politics, and the inability to carry a tune in a bucket...haha!  When He created us with our gifts, I believe that he intended for us to use them.  


One of the passions that He placed within my heart is an unquenchable desire to study History. Reading biographies was a large part of my History education as a homeschool child and it changed who I became as an adult.


One of the great things about studying History is that we can learn so much from those who have come before us.  If we learn the lesson well, we can avoid making the same mistakes and we can be encouraged to make the right decisions. 

(Picture compliments of http://www.virginmedia.com/sport/galleries/great-sporting-scots.php?ssid=11)

One person whom I have learned much from is Eric Liddell.  No, I didn't learn to be a fast runner or how to win any athletic competition, but I did learn to follow the passions that my Heavenly Father placed in my heart.  It is oh, so easy to hold back in fear and not use those gifts to their full potential.  It can also be difficult at times to find and understand those gifts and passions. 
Eric Liddell found his talent and passion.  Who could ever forget that scene from "Chariots of Fire" when Eric was challenged on the secular nature of his pursuit...running.  He had been raised the child of missionaries in China and had a passion for evangelizing.  But, when God created Eric Liddell, He created him fast.  Eric responded to the challenge by saying, "When I run, I feel His pleasure".  

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Liddell)

Can't you just feel God's pleasure when you look at that picture?  God created him fast, and he was using that gift to it's full potential.  Here is the story behind the paper in his hand taken from historymakers.info.  

 "As Liddell went to the starting blocks for the race, an American slipped 
a piece of paper in his hand with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30, 

"Those who honour me I will honour." Liddell ran with that piece 

of paper in his hand and not only won the race but broke the existing 

world record with a time of 47.6 seconds."

That really sums it all up for me.  When I am using the gifts that the Lord gave me, I can feel His pleasure.  So, in my adult life I am learning to use my gifts and pursue the passions that He placed in my heart...and just trust Him with the details.  



"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