{"id":39566,"date":"2024-11-19T14:29:33","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T22:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=39566"},"modified":"2024-11-19T14:29:33","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T22:29:33","slug":"the-dopamine-spark-turning-passion-into-god-aligned-purpose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/the-dopamine-spark-turning-passion-into-god-aligned-purpose\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dopamine Spark: Turning Passion into God-Aligned Purpose"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the beginning of <\/span>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows<\/span><\/i>, Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it had been during the previous six years.<\/span><\/p>\n

It has been taken over by Death Eaters, under the control of Severus Snape as Headmaster, operating on orders from Voldemort. Harry realizes that Voldemort is going to take over everything near and dear to him and destroy all the people he loves.<\/span><\/p>\n

The only way to put an end to this takeover of the wizarding world\u2014with the Muggle world soon to fall under wizarding domination\u2014is to destroy the Horcruxes that tether Voldemort to life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing that Voldemort is gunning especially for him, Harry resolves to go on this Horcrux quest alone. But Ron and Hermione steadfastly refuse to let him go by himself, insisting on accompanying him despite the dangers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their unwavering support provides Harry with a surge of motivation and hope, akin to a dopamine boost, reinforcing his resolve to face the challenges ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

This moment in <\/span>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows<\/span><\/i> illustrates how dopamine\u2014the brain\u2019s motivator\u2014can enhance leadership.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hermione and Ron remind Harry that they\u2019re in this together, no matter the cost. Their unwavering commitment reignites Harry\u2019s resolve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What might have felt like an isolated burden transforms into a mission fueled by shared purpose, rekindling Harry\u2019s passion and reminding him why he fights. This moment captures the spark of passion\u2014born from the belief in a possibility worth pursuing, a future worth fighting for.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In leadership, especially for Christian leaders, this kind of passion is often how God begins his work in us. It\u2019s the thrill of a God-given calling, the excitement of seeing a vision take shape, the hope of real transformation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But passion, as powerful as it is, is only the beginning. To see it through, we must also cultivate perseverance, a growth mindset, and alignment with God\u2019s desires for our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Passion and Dopamine: The Thrill of Anticipation<\/h2>\n

Passion often begins with the excitement of possibility, fueled by dopamine. But passion also fades once we stop living in the dream of the future and have to cope with the mundanity of the present. In <\/span>The Molecule of More<\/span><\/i> Leiberman and Long write, \u201cPassion rises when we dream of a world of possibility and fades when we are confronted by reality.\u201d [1]<\/span><\/p>\n

Lieberman and Long explain that the dopamine in our brains causes us to focus on what is out of reach (extrapersonal space) and motivates us to pursue it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The authors write, \u201cThe dopamine desire circuit is powerful. It focuses attention, motivates, and thrills. It has a profound influence over the choices we make.\u201d [2]<\/span><\/p>\n

The thrill is in the anticipation, not the reality. Once the goal moves into peripersonal space (what we can reach in the here and now), dopamine fades, and the initial excitement diminishes.<\/span><\/p>\n

As we embark on any journey or task, it is good to remember that we are in partnership with God. God plants desires in us that move us toward his purposes. Thanks to dopamine, it feels good to get started, and we have all sorts of dreams about what things might look like en route and upon completion!<\/span><\/p>\n

The challenge is recognizing that passion is a starting point; it\u2019s not the whole journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul warns us not to settle for what the world settles for, but to continually discern God\u2019s will for us and for those whom we serve in God\u2019s name. <\/span>We read in Romans 12:1-2,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God\u2019s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God\u2014this is your true and proper worship.<\/span> Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God\u2019s will is\u2014his good, pleasing and perfect will.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grit: Staying Loyal to Your Calling<\/h2>\n

Once we begin tackling the task before us, no matter how passionate we may be about it, we need to tap into <\/span>perseverance<\/span><\/i> to create a lasting impact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, we need both passion <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> perseverance, as Angela Duckworth shares in her book <\/span>Grit<\/span><\/i>: \u201cGrit is about working on something you care about so much that you\u2019re willing to stay loyal to it\u2026 It\u2019s doing what you love, but not just falling in love\u2014staying in love.\u201d [3]<\/span><\/p>\n

When dopamine fades, grit complements passion by sustaining us through difficult, mundane, or discouraging moments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As ministry leaders, it is easy to get bogged down when we face inevitable opposition, or when progress feels slow and plodding. But we can keep returning to the call God placed in our hearts, the passion for God\u2019s people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The writer of Hebrews shares, \u201cLet us run with perseverance the race marked out for us\u201d (Hebrews 12:1). We began that race with passion; persevering, we keep going with faithfulness, trusting that God works through the process, not just the ends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a series of interviews with leaders across all fields, Duckworth found that \u201cFirst, these exemplars were unusually resilient and hardworking. Second, they knew in a very, very deep way what it was they wanted. They not only had determination, they had direction. It was this combination of passion and perseverance that made high achievers special. In a word, they had grit.\u201d (4)<\/span><\/p>\n

But let\u2019s face it, just like Harry experienced, there will be times when the race set before us doesn\u2019t feel worth running anymore. How do we keep going?<\/span><\/p>\n

A Growth Mindset: Thriving Through Challenges<\/h2>\n

When completely discouraged, that\u2019s when we need to rely on a growth mindset as the bridge between passion and perseverance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In her book, <\/span>Mindset<\/span><\/i>, Carol Dweck writes, \u201cThe passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it\u2019s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset.\u201d [5]<\/span><\/p>\n

We all need to cultivate a growth mindset to reframe challenges as opportunities, and to learn and refine the work. Passion without a growth mindset can lead to frustration when the road gets tough.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adaptability is key to seeing a task through.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, a pastor or ministry leader may launch a new discipleship ministry in a community that is very unfamiliar with it. She will face obstacles, resistance, and hopefully, some useful feedback. Being able to learn from the process will help her stay true to the vision, even as she adapts the approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a personal example, I thought my project was going to be about one thing last fall. But after my first stakeholder workshop, I realized I had to pivot. I wondered: could I maintain just as much passion for the new topic as I had for the first? Fortunately, the answer has been a resounding “yes!”<\/p>\n

Recognizing that I had some new things to learn about the topic, I quickly gathered materials and resources. It wasn’t long before I was deep into the new topic<\/p>\n

Aligning with God\u2019s Will<\/h2>\n

While dopamine excites us and propels us forward, it is not enough to anchor us or keep us focused on the more important picture of transformation through partnership with God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dopamine\u2019s focus on the thrill of what\u2019s next can leave us restless and disconnected from God\u2019s ultimate purpose if not accompanied by careful and ongoing discernment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Holy desire, by contrast, anchors us in God\u2019s love and draws us into alignment with God\u2019s will. It is the steadying force that keeps us grounded when worldly excitement fades.<\/span><\/p>\n

The psalmist reminds us, \u201cDelight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart\u201d (Psalm 37:4). When we center our joy in God, our desires become an extension of God’s will.<\/span><\/p>\n

To ensure our passions are aligned with God\u2019s will, discernment is essential. Practices like the Ignatian Examen help us reflect on whether our desires are in harmony with God\u2019s calling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By taking time to pray, listen, and seek God\u2019s guidance, we can gain clarity on how to move forward faithfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

In aligning with God\u2019s will, we discover a purpose that goes beyond dopamine\u2019s temporary high or the challenges of perseverance. Holy desire provides the peace of knowing we are working toward something eternal, with God leading the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Passion as a Journey of Faith<\/h2>\n

Just as Harry Potter\u2019s final journey began with a spark of passion, and the thrill of possibility, our callings often start with a sense of excitement and purpose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But as Harry discovered, passion alone is not enough. He faced moments of discouragement and doubt, times when the weight of his mission seemed too much to bear. What carried him through was not only the support of his friends but also his dogged determination and unwavering commitment to the greater purpose at hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the same way, as Christian leaders, we need more than the initial burst of dopamine-fueled excitement to fulfill our callings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Passion is the spark, but perseverance\u2014grit\u2014keeps us moving forward when the path is challenging. <\/span>A growth mindset enables us to adapt and learn along the way, turning obstacles into opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Above all, aligning our desires with God\u2019s will ensures we remain focused on God\u2019s eternal purpose, even when the way ahead is unclear. The apostle John wrote, \u201cWe love because he first loved us\u201d (1 John 4:19). Our deepest desires\u2014to love and serve\u2014are a response to God\u2019s overwhelming love for us.<\/span><\/p>\n

So let me ask you:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • What passions has God planted in your heart?<\/span><\/li>\n
  • How can you sustain those passions with grit and faithfulness, even when the thrill fades?<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Are you open to learning and adapting as God refines your vision?<\/span><\/li>\n
  • And most importantly, are you aligning your desires with God\u2019s desires, seeking God’s guidance to stay anchored in his purpose?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Just as Harry\u2019s journey wasn\u2019t easy, neither is ours. But by leaning on the tools of passion, perseverance, adaptability, and divine alignment, we can walk boldly in faith, trusting that God will lead us through to the end of the race God has marked out for us.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \n

     <\/p>\n

    1 – Daniel Z. Lieberman, Michael E. Long, <\/span>The Molecule of More; How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity—and will Determine the Fate of the Human Race<\/span><\/i> (Dallas: BenBella Books, 2018), 7.<\/span><\/p>\n

    2 – Lieberman, 56.<\/span><\/p>\n

    3 – Angela Duckworth, <\/span>\u00a0Grit; the Power of Passion and Perseverance<\/span><\/i> (New York; Scribner, 2016), 54.<\/span><\/p>\n

    4 – Duckworth, 8.<\/span><\/p>\n

    5 – 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), 7.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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