Follow your passion...HORRIBLE advice!
I am sure you have heard it said, or maybe you have said it: Follow your passion. Hey, I am guilty! I have said that before, how about you? Here is the deal - that statement is stupid! Follow your passion is horrible advice...stop saying it right now. So, let me back up and offer a little context because you might be lost, confused, or ready to blast me right now. As I write this, I am well into my 40's...been married to an amazing woman almost half that time, and have two wonderful daughters (teenager and an almost teenager). At mid 40's and fairly established I/we are not the typical audience of a "Follow your passion" speech or talk. So audience here is important! In fact, audience is key. Most of the speeches or talks given around follow your passion are delivered by fairly mature and developed individuals who didn't necessarily follow their passion at first.
Follow your passion is making the assumption that you know what your passion is. You see, most high schoolers, college grads and many others who hear these speeches have really no idea what their passion is. There might be an interest, or some ideas brewing of what they might enjoy...but passion? I don't think so...at least not in the majority.
So, instead of thinking or saying follow your passion - consider this...explore your passions. Encourage curiosity. Try different things at young ages Traverse new territory and expand your perspective. Seek out your passions or calling, don't settle too quickly.
Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. - Psalm 37: 3-5
So as I sit here thinking about my teenager, and soon to be teenager I process Psalms 37. I pray they will trust completely in the Lord, and seek Him and do good. In doing good, that they will take great delight in their journey. They will explore that delight, be curious and expand their minds, and have many different experiences to truly understand and develop their heart's desires while exploring their passions. In the end, when they...or YOU... find that true calling - walk away from everything and follow it with all you have!