Do You Have A Heart For The Work?

“We kept at it…because the people had a heart for the work.” Nehemiah 4:6 MSG

Some qualities we yearn for, like consistency, discipline, or excellence, come with the passion package when channelled correctly. Otherwise, we often must find other reasons to be consistent, disciplined and strive for excellence.

We’ve underestimated the role of passion in what we do. Passion here doesn’t mean the future ambition you dreamt about when you were ten years old. Instead, it refers to a deep burning desire to get something done. It’s the fire that ignites you to get up and do what needs to be done.

For many, that fire is almost out and for several reasons too. Perhaps, life has been too harsh; expectations haven’t been met; the seasons keep changing rapidly, throwing you into a haze every other day; your love life is a mess, or you need to put food on the table. In times like this, I also get clueless about what to do. But a simple prayer I keep saying is, “Father, rekindle my fire”.

When you have a heart for the work you do, the probability of having staying power is high. You’ll be clear on the purpose, and the passion that builds up in you will constantly drive you towards that purpose. Even when the fire goes down, you’ll get back up once you’re reminded of why you’re on that journey.

If Nehemiah and his team weren’t passionate about their vision for the city, they would not have “kept at it”. With all the adversity, it’s easier to run away and do something safer.

I once thought doing something you’re passionate about brings nothing else but ease and comfort. Instead, it places you in the test zone, so that when you find your formula for pushing through, ease and comfort become the result of your mental state and not just physical events.

When you do something you’re not passionate about, you’ll put in the effort to make things work. Likewise, when you do something you’re passionate about, you still put in the effort to make things work. So why not just do the latter and enjoy the positive outcomes included in the package?