{"id":39472,"date":"2024-11-13T22:12:37","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T06:12:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=39472"},"modified":"2024-11-13T22:12:37","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T06:12:37","slug":"grit-and-grace-pursuing-our-god-given-desires-with-passion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/grit-and-grace-pursuing-our-god-given-desires-with-passion\/","title":{"rendered":"Grit and Grace; Pursuing Our God-Given Desires With Passion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jesus asks many questions in the gospels. But the most powerful question he asks is, \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, he asks a blind man, Bartimaeus, in Mark 10:51-52, \u201cWhat do you want me to do for you?\u201d Bartimaeus replies, \u201cTeacher, I want to see.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t that interesting? The man is obviously blind, yet Jesus asks \u201cWhat do you want me to do for you?\u201d He invites Bartimaeus to name it and ask for it, specifically.<\/span><\/p>\n

A similar question bookends the gospel of John. As Jesus is beginning his ministry, two of John the Baptizer\u2019s disciples follow him. One is Andrew and we aren\u2019t told who the other was. Noticing them, Jesus turns and asks, \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Not knowing how to answer, they ask where he is staying. Jesus replies, \u201cCome and you will see.\u201d They spend hours together in intimate conversation, after which, they do indeed follow him. (John 1)<\/span><\/p>\n

Then in John 18 as Jesus completes his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, he is approached by soldiers and officials from the chief priest.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhom are you seeking?\u201d he asks. \u201cJesus of Nazareth,\u201d they reply. \u201cI am he.\u201d And they lead him into the darkness of accusation, trial, and death.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want me to do for you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhom are you seeking?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, \u201cWhat is the longing in your heart? How may I fill it for you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Bartimaeus knew exactly what he wanted; he received what he asked for, plus more\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

The disciples didn\u2019t know what they wanted or for what\/whom they were looking\u2026 not at first. But ultimately they come into the presence of Jesus and receive new \u201ceyes\u201d of the heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Do You Want?<\/b><\/h2>\n

When Jesus asks this question today, \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d how do we answer? How do<\/span> you <\/span><\/i>answer?<\/span><\/p>\n

When we know what we want, it often takes grit to achieve it, even with help from God.<\/span><\/p>\n

In her book, <\/span>Grit; the Power of Passion and Perseverance<\/span><\/i>, Angela Duckworth recounts her journey of trying to understand why some people can stick with something while others simply don\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

She has found that at least part of the answer is <\/span>passion<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I mean by passion is not just that you have something you care about. What I mean is that you care about the same ultimate goal in an abiding, loyal, steady way. You are not capricious\u2026 Most of your actions derive their significance from their allegiance to your ultimate concern, your life philosophy. You have your priorities in order.\u201d\u00a0 [1]<\/span><\/p>\n

But where does this passion come from? And how do we cultivate the perseverance to pursue it?<\/span><\/p>\n

The Desires God Places Within<\/b><\/h2>\n

From a Christian perspective, our deepest desires are not random or accidental. They are woven into the fabric of our being by a loving Creator who uniquely crafted each of us. <\/span><\/p>\n

As James K.A. Smith argues in <\/span>You Are What You Love<\/span><\/i>, our hearts are fundamentally oriented towards love, and what we love ultimately shapes who we become. This means that the “wants” that drive us are not simply fleeting whims, but expressions of our deepest selves, reflecting the image of God within us. Smith writes,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He [Jesus] asks, What do you want?\u201d This is the most incisive, piercing question Jesus can ask of us precisely because we <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> what we want. Our wants and longings and desires are at the core of our identity, the wellspring from which our actions and behavior flow. Our wants reverberate from our heart, the epicenter of the human person.\u00a0 [2]<\/span><\/p>\n

These desires or “wants” often point toward the unique contribution God has designed us to make in the world. They may lead us to a particular career, a ministry, a creative pursuit, or a way of loving and serving others. <\/span><\/p>\n

Recognizing these desires as God-given gifts is the first step toward cultivating the grit to pursue them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grit and the Christian Journey<\/b><\/h2>\n

Duckworth defines grit as a combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. She breaks it down into four key components:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Interest:<\/b> \u201cPassion begins with intrinsically enjoying what you do.\u201d [3] This is about discovering and deepening your passion for a particular field or pursuit. It’s about leaning into the things that excite you, that make you come alive. In the Christian context, this could be seen as discerning your spiritual gifts, recognizing the unique passions God has placed within you, and exploring how those passions can be used to serve him and others.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n

      \n
    • Practice:<\/b> Grit requires deliberate practice with consistent effort to improve. \u201cOne form of perseverance is the daily discipline of trying to do things better than we did yesterday.\u201d [4] It’s about showing up daily, honing your skills, and striving for excellence. This resonates with the biblical concept of diligence and perseverance. The Apostle Paul, for example, demonstrated incredible grit in his ministry, facing persecution and hardship yet remaining steadfast in his commitment to spreading the Gospel.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

       <\/p>\n

        \n
      • Purpose:<\/b> This involves connecting your work to a larger purpose beyond yourself. \u201cYour work matters\u2026 It is therefore imperative that you identify your work as both personally interesting and, at the same time, integrally connected to the well-being of others.\u201d [5] When you have a clear purpose, you know your efforts contribute to something bigger than yourself, something meaningful and lasting. For Christians, this purpose is ultimately rooted in God’s plan for redemption and his call to love and serve others. As Serrano states in <\/span>Biblical Principles for Resilience in Leadership<\/span><\/i>, “servant leaders demonstrate a level of altruism, vision, and service that may not exist in other forms of leadership.\u201d [6]<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

         <\/p>\n

          \n
        • Hope: <\/b>\u201cHope is a rising-to-the-occasion kind of perseverance\u2026 It defines every stage of grit.\u201d [7] When you have hope you typically have a growth mindset and believe in your own ability to overcome challenges\u2026\u00a0 Hope means having faith that, with God’s help, you can achieve your goals even when things get tough. Hope is a central theme in the Bible, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, God is with us and has a plan for our lives.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          The Power of Mindset<\/b><\/h3>\n

          Carol Dweck’s research on mindset further illuminates the connection between our beliefs and our ability to cultivate grit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          A growth mindset, as Dweck describes it, \u201cis based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts\u2026 everyone can change and grow through application and experience.\u201d [8]<\/span><\/p>\n

          This belief fuels perseverance because it allows us to see challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than as roadblocks. When we believe we can grow, we are more likely to embrace the effort required to achieve our goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

          The Role of Emotional Health<\/b><\/h3>\n

          In <\/span>The Emotionally Healthy Leader<\/span><\/i> it sounds like author Peter Scazzero is describing grit. He writes,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          If you take this book seriously, it will require a lot from you \u2013 hard work, perseverance, vulnerability, humility, and a willingness to change. To be sure, you will be challenged. But my prayer is that the challenges will be matched by a compelling vision for how things might be different if you embrace the courageous choices that will wallo God to transform you and your leadership. [9]<\/span><\/p>\n

          Without using the word \u201cgrit\u201d, Scazzero has described it perfectly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          It also becomes clearer to understand that self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healthy relationships provide a strong foundation for perseverance and passion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          When we are aware of our own emotions and can manage them effectively, we are less likely to be derailed by setbacks or negative experiences. In addition, strong relationships provide support and encouragement, helping us to stay the course even when things get tough.<\/span><\/p>\n

          Answering the Call<\/b><\/h3>\n

          Ultimately, the question “What do you want?” is an invitation to self-discovery and a challenge to align our desires with what God desires <\/span>for<\/span><\/i> us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          We must look inside our hearts and minds to identify the passions and longings God has placed there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          Rarely is the answer to that question quick. You\u2019ll likely find that you must engage in self-reflection, prayer, and perhaps even some trial and error.<\/span><\/p>\n

          But when we do begin to discern an answer, a partnership with God is required to bring it to fruition. As Philippians 2:13 reminds us, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          This means that while we have a role to play in pursuing our goals, ultimately it is God who empowers us and guides us toward his plan for our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

          It’s also important to recognize that our call \u2013 or mission \u2013 may change throughout our lives. It also may remain static, but LOOK different in implementation over time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          The key is to remain open to God’s leading, to continually seek God\u2019s guidance, and to trust that he will equip us for whatever he calls us to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

          So, as you reflect on Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?”, consider this: Do you know the answer? And if so, how do you know?<\/span><\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          \n

           <\/p>\n

          1 – Carol S. Dweck, <\/span>Mindset; the New Psychology of Success; How We Can Learn to Fulfill Our Potential <\/span><\/i>(New York: Ballantine Books, 2006), 64.<\/span><\/p>\n

          2 – James K. A. Smith, <\/span>You Are What You Love; the Spiritual Power of Habits<\/span><\/i> (Grand Rapids, Brazos Press, 2016), 1-2.<\/span><\/p>\n

          3 – Angela Duckworth, <\/span>\u00a0Grit; the Power of Passion and Perseverance<\/span><\/i> (New York; Scribner, 2016), 91.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          4 – Duckworth, 91.<\/span><\/p>\n

          5 – Duckworth, 91.<\/span><\/p>\n

          6 – Carlo A. Serrano, <\/span>Biblical Principles for Resilience in Leadership; Theory and Cases<\/span><\/i> (Cham, Switzerland, Palgrave Macmillan, 2020), 71.<\/span><\/p>\n

          7 – Duckworth 91-92.<\/span><\/p>\n

          8 – Dweck, 7.<\/span><\/p>\n

          9 – Peter Scazzero, <\/span>The Emotionally Healthy Leader; How transforming your inner life will deeply transform your church, team, and the world <\/span><\/i>(United States of America: Zondervan, 2015), 22.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Jesus asks many questions in the gospels. But the most powerful question he asks is, \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d For instance, he asks a blind man, Bartimaeus, in Mark 10:51-52, \u201cWhat do you want me to do for you?\u201d Bartimaeus replies, \u201cTeacher, I want to see.\u201d\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that interesting? The man is obviously blind, yet […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":197,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3324,2967],"class_list":["post-39472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-duckworth","tag-dlgp03","cohort-dlgp03"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/197"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39472"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39474,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39472\/revisions\/39474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}