Well, I’m not really sure how to answer that question. I haven’t been gone, just mainly lurking around reading other blogs, and occasionally making a comment or two. But obviously I haven’t been writing anything lately. Sometimes the words just pour out, but lately they have been short circuiting between my brain and my hands. The thoughts are there, but the urge to write them down hasn’t been. Until now.
On my last post, Trinitie made a comment (it’s good to see she is still around and reading) that she didn’t like the post, that it felt like I was “trying too hard.” The truth of the matter was, I wasn’t trying hard at all…it was just a post to have something there. Slap something together and get it online, and make it fit the season. It wasn’t something on my heart as much as it was just something in my brain. I don’t want this to be the last thing I ever write if I get hit by a car or something on my way home tonight.
And so I write. But the odd thing is I still don’t really have anything of importance to say. About anything. Well, almost anything. A couple of weeks ago I was sitting in a job interview for another position here at the college, and I thought I had the answers they were looking for. Except for one question. This question has been bugging me since that day and I still don’t have an answer for it. Not a truthful one anyway.
The question?
What are you passionate about?
What am I passionate about? Lots of things. Some things. Not much of anything. What drives me to get out of bed each morning and live life? What motivates me, what do I care about more than anything, what do I live for? Besides family? Not much of anything. I use to be passionate about the church, but not anymore. I use to be passionate about God, but not anymore. I use to be passionate about what I did for a living (video production), but not anymore.
There is a saying in video production that goes like this, “Old cameramen never die, they just lose their focus.” That’s what has happened to me, I’ve lost my focus.
What are you passionate about?
When we lose our passions, our zeal, we wind up going through the motions of life. Not really living life, just existing. I see that in a lot of people – mainly the older we get the more cynical and “tired” we become. There is a lot of truth to the saying “youthful passions.” We become safe, and boring. I don’t want to be safe; I don’t want to be boring. But at the moment the question remains.
What are you passionate about?
B~
Bit of Smoke 
January 20, 2007 at 6:18 am
Well, Bruce, you came back with a question that will hit me with the same answer you came up with. Now that you have been faced with this question – what do you plan to do to re-ignite the passion or find a new one? I am asking myself too- none of my passions are tangible things that I can even explain out loud.
I’m glad you’re back. Please post even if you have nothing to say. You were missed by a lot of us (I know cause I took a poll). We don’t love you just cause you have great things to share – we love you cause your you, our bro. in the Lord.
B
January 20, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Bruce,
I cringed when recently tagged for one of those memes. the question “what are you passionate about?” hit me hard. i wanted to write, i’m honestly not passionate about anything outside of my family. instead i wrote down the things i enjoy the most. there’s a difference. you had the guts to say it outloud. maybe we can see each other through this bland space. thanks for your honesty- i think.
January 20, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Well, God is still passionate about you…no matter what. And so are we, B.
Praying for you; for this season to present itself with new passions, and to rekindle old ones.
January 21, 2007 at 4:37 am
glad to see that you’re back. and i have to ditto what barbara said about loving you simply because you’re you and not because of what you say. love is not performance-based; it’s unconditional.
here’s to finding passions again…
January 21, 2007 at 7:17 am
Hi, my name is Shelly and I am also not sure what I am passionate about. I guess I am passionate about trying to figure out what I should be passionate about now. There. So, maybe I am surer than I thought….
Seriously, maybe it is more of a transition and growth time for me…not sure what I am transitioning to but there is definitely a lot of needed growth going on (and miles to go yet…miles and miles and miles to go).
I appreciate your honesty…..thanks for being transparent…
Maybe this is a transition point…wish I had some golden nugget of wisdom but I don’t.
Shelly
January 21, 2007 at 7:23 am
I am so very glad you’re back and I read your blog, I read others blogs to find out what people are thinking and feeling….I don’t look for wisdom or to be blown away by what they have to say it’s a connection and I guess I’m always looking for those.
I struggle with passion. I watch my husband serving where he is passionate and I waste much energy being jealous. I am passionate about Him and that’s ‘feels’ good sometimes and others absolutely like there’s nothing there for me to ……do with it and then I start the cycle again of thinking too much about me….drives me crazy and I think sometimes it does or did my husband as well.
I love reading the blogs of people who are on journey’s and seeing that our journey’s are not that different. That we are maybe in or at different places but the journey is the same and I cannot wait to meet some of the people I have met here there…..
sorry but I’ve missed you as well and pray you will bring us or allow us the privilege of hearing you process your journey. Thanks for writing…becky
January 21, 2007 at 10:24 am
Hi there Bruce-
About two years ago, I would have answered as you do now. Then, put me on a spiritual quest. Only I really didn’t know what I was looking for. I just wanted TRUTH. I’m 61, former Baptist deacon, and I’m looking for TRUTH?? Yep…..Boy was I in for a surprise. God has led me to signposts everywhere. All of which, point to “the” one and only absolute TRUTH. God is Truth. His presence within every one of us is TRUTH. That being deep within you, way beyond and deeper than the ego that seems to control us all. That is where TRUTH lies.It has been a whirlwind quest. I have tossed aside just about all the dogma, doctrine, rules and regulations that I held dear. And you know what’s left? God within me. God within every one of us proving every day how much He loves us; promising to never leave us. How could He, He is in us and we in Him. I can’t explain that. I just know that He has given me peace in the midst of the storms of this world. A peace that passes all understanding. Nothing is required of us to have this peace. He has completed the work to give it to us……..Have a great life…Have the peace of God….
January 22, 2007 at 2:01 am
Great question … hits at the heart of life and the heart of God. I am with Don when he says his passion lies in God. It is a hard one for people who are performance oriented (like me) to really cease our passions about works and simply be passionate about the Father. That said I have to say that this kind of passion for God begets a passion for people. I saw this motto once and I ascribe to it:
Passion for God. Compassion for People.
I guess you just can’t talk about passion and not compassion.
Nice to see you posting again Bruce.
Blessings, KB
January 22, 2007 at 2:27 am
That seems like a strange job interview question.
The last time I saw a question like that was on eharmony.com. I don’t do that any more, but I was always dumbstruck. Christian people had their textbook answers – passionate about JESUS, etc – and I don’t think I saw anything original.
January 22, 2007 at 8:49 am
Does it help to know that a 21 year old is in the same boat?
Trinitie
p.s. I love it when you name drop in your blogs.
January 22, 2007 at 9:56 am
For someone who feels like he doesn’t have a lot to say…you said a lot tonight. Thanks for the encouraging words!
What am I passionate about? I don’t have a clue. Right now, it depends on the day. There are days when I am passionate about my job, and it’s a wonderful job. Then there are days when I am passionate about something else. I long to be passionate about God again, not so much like I once was, but passionate nonetheless. I guess it will come.
January 23, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Hmm. Interesting, a little sad, and I’m glad you can be so honest about it. It’s good to see you back, Bruce.
January 23, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Passion sometimes comes in seasons and cycles … like ocean waves hitting the beach. It’s absence is nothing to necessarily feel guilty about. Not it’s presence something to necesarily feel principled about. Live and love!
Good to hear from you Bruce.
January 26, 2007 at 6:13 am
wow a post. It’s always nice to read/hear from you. I like when you post over at my blog!! Oh and my youngest is almost 14.
January 27, 2007 at 11:30 am
I’ve missed you Bruce . . . This new post refreshed my soul. As usual, your transparency inspires me. I’m glad you “name drop” in your blogs because I get to be reminded of how wonderful my little sister truly is . . .
January 28, 2007 at 9:48 am
Bruce,
It’s good to find a new post at your blog. What a great question with a lot of great answers. I’ll give it some thought and answer it on my blog.
January 29, 2007 at 10:03 am
What are you passionate about? Let me suggest a different approach to this question. Start by considering the use of the word “passion” in relation to Jesus. What was his “passion”? The passion of Jesus was his suffering and finally and fully his death. So, to ask what you are passionate about could be the same as asking what will you lay down your life for. I’m not talking here about some ideology or idealistic-ism, I’m talking about that greatest of all expressions of love- even while we were his enemies…
I’m not sure how much this to do with how I may or may not feel about something or someone. It has every thing to do with what I am called to as one who seeks to follow the passionate Christ- In Paul’s words, “I am crucified with Christ…”
Anyway, just another way to approach the question.