Something I have noticed with the younger generations is the word "passion." I don't remember my generation using this word. Lately, I have heard that one must wait to find a career they're "passionate" about and husbands wanting their wives to pursue their "passion." Meanwhile, these men who are waiting to feel "passionate" about a job or career are not working and women are looking here and there trying to find their "passion."
Are we meant to work when we finally find our "passion" and should it be a woman's goal to find what is her "passion?" No, God commands that whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might {Ecclesiastes 9:10} Whatever you can find to do or what needs to be done, do it; no need to wait until you're passionate! And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you {1 Thessalonians 4:11} And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men {Colossians 3:23}. I don't see anywhere in the Bible that we are to find our "passion"; that this should be our goal in life.
Nothing in life should be based upon "passion" but on being obedient to the Lord and doing His will for our lives which is to work hard. Men's job is to protect and provide for their families if they are married and women's job is to be a help meet to their husband if they are married, mother to their children if they have children and a keeper at home. It has nothing whatsoever to do with "passion." In fact, here is what the Bible says about passions, "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires"{Galatians 5:24}.
In today's generation, passion has become a good and positive word instead of a negative word! It's something the young are told and encouraged to pursue instead of godliness, purity and holiness. I don't remember my children ever using this word, probably because Ken and I never used this word. The only passion we knew that was positive should be in the bedroom between a married couple! The passion today's generation is pursuing is a fantasy. There is nothing on this planet that you can be passionate day in and day out.
Teach your children to pursue God and His ways instead of passion. Train them to work hard at whatever they are called to do, even if this means bagging groceries or cleaning dirty dishes. If men just sit back waiting for God to open a door to their "passion," it will never happen. Instead, if they aren't being educated for a career path they have chosen, they should be bagging groceries or flipping burgers until more doors are opened for them. God doesn't work mightily within us if we are sitting around doing nothing. We have to get up out of our chair and begin working; then He swoops down and gives us the strength to accomplish His will in our lives, whether that is being a wife and mother for most women or a garbage collector, lawyer, doctor or whatever for most men. BUT God does call us to work and NOT be lazy.
Therefore, if you have a grown child waiting for his "passion," kick him out the door and make him work. There are WAY too many young men not working today and there are jobs. It may take a lot of time and work to find a job but with God ALL things are possible and He commands that we work heartily as to the Lord! If you have daughters, keep them busy around the home and other ministries if they aren't pursuing a higher education but don't let them fritter their lives away sitting around doing nothing. The best thing you can do for your daughters is to train them to never be afraid of hard work, serving others, keeping a home clean and tidy and cooking nutritious, yummy meals. Her future husband will thank you!
