Listening To Your Heart

 

Introduction

 

Chariot’s clip contrast with Abraham’s quote

 

I will raise my eyes and look down that corridor; 4 feet wide, with 10 lonely seconds to justify my whole existence. But WILL I?

 

Sybil Gordon: [about running] do you love it?
Harold M. Abrahams: I'm more of an addict. It's a compulsion with me, a weapon I can use.
Sybil Gordon: Against what?
Harold M. Abrahams: Being Jewish I suppose.
Sybil Gordon: [laughs incredulously] You're not serious! People aren't like that, people don't care. Can it be as bad as all that?
Harold M. Abrahams: You're not Jewish, or you wouldn't have had to ask.

 

Why did Abrahams run? Fear, something to prove, driven.  Why Eric Liddell? Joy, wanted to, holy desire. By way what is our motive in serving the Lord? Have to or want to?

 

Nothing more beautiful than seeing people serve the Lord in area of passion, poetry in motion, mention shout out passion. Billy Graham? James Dobson? Mother Teresa? Not just a “spiritual” thing Matt Anderson.   Pastor & author

 

“Every person has a dream of what they can be. But too many Christians are going to the grave with their dreams locked up inside and unexpressed. Many are releasing some of their dreams in the marketplace because that’s the only place they can dance or play guitar or use computers. As leaders of the church, we have to change that and say. “Wait a minute, that dream needs to be expended for the advancement of the kingdom of God. That’s how it’s meant to be.” (Wayne Cordeiro)

 

Heartbeat passion, what is it

 

What is your heart/passion?

 

     The Bible uses the term “heart” to represent the center of your motivations,    

      desires and inclinations.  “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart 

     reflects the person.” (Prov. 27:19 NLT) It is who you are inside, what motivates you.

 

“Passion is the fuel of life.  It is the great source of energy and drive.  It’s what makes us explore new vistas, develop new relationships, and seek solutions to perplexing problems.”                                      (Bob Buford Halftime)

 

Just as we all have a unique physical heartbeat so we have a unique emotional heartbeat that “races” when we encounter various activities subjects, or circumstances that interest us.  Why we care deeply about some things and not about others. 

 

Why listen to your heart?

 

     It determines:

 

 

 

 

Where do they come from?

 

Difficult question can’t pretend answer fully, couple thoughts:

 

 

 

“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  (Ps. 37:4)

 

Disclaimer not all passions are Godly.  Sometimes a desire for personal comfort, success, pleasure, or glory can displace a passion for what God wants.  Delight self in Lord; make sure lines up God’s word, and his purposes, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.

 

How can you listen to your heart?

 

  1. Know what drives you in a good sense. Dream/think about nothing to do, motivates you to take action,

 

  1. Know who/ what you care about.  Is there a particular age drawn to kids, teens, elderly or maybe not age, but a certain segment of society international students, poor, prisoners  Also, what care about social justice, poverty, breakdown of the family

 

  1. Know the needs you will meet. Physical needs, emotional, spiritual, relational, educational 

 

  1. Know your ultimate dream for God’s kingdom. Time or $ not a problem, what do to further God’s kingdom.

 

By way author Tom Patterson

 

 “Heart is where you are centered, where you desire to serve, the alter upon which you wish to place your talents.  Giftedness is who you are. Heart is where you will most likely apply who you are.”

 

 

Group Time

 

  1. What insights did you gain from the passion questions/ heartbeat exercise?

 

  1. How/ where could you see God using your passion to build his kingdom (get feedback from others in the group)?

 

  1. Do you see any overlap between your spiritual gifts and your passion?

 

 

 

Take Away