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This is one of those rare times where I’ve titled my post before writing it. Usually I don’t come up with the title until after having written the post.
The reason for the change this time is because this title is a phrase that’s been blaring in my head for so long.
It’s something I’ve wanted to shout from the roof tops above the popular (and often misled) notion of today’s culture that tells people to “just follow your heart.”
Telling someone to follow their heart blindly can be bad advice.
Really bad advice.
The Truth About The Heart
The heart can be emotional and therefore fickle.
If everyone went with every whim that came to their hearts, the world would be a lot more chaotic than it already is.
This is not just common sense, it’s also biblical.
Jeremiah 17:9–10 says, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
What this means is, as humans our hearts are inclined toward selfishness and sin, and our decisions are made with the wrong motives. However, the good news is, God has the power to transform our hearts to make decisions with good and righteous motives.
Passion Comes From a Transformed Heart
God-given passion is something that burns deep inside a transformed heart, propelling you forward despite whatever you’re feeling in the moment.
It’s what keeps you going even when things get tough, even when you don’t feel like complying.
Passion that comes from a transformed heart is more committed.
I think this quote says it best:
“Passion has little to do with euphoria and everything to do with patience. It is not about feeling good. It is about endurance. Like patience, passion comes from the same Latin root: pati. It does not mean to flow with exuberance. It means to suffer.” Mark Z. Danielewski
Think about this quote in terms of those who are passionate about running marathons.
To be successful, it can’t be just because they love running or like the euphoria that comes with running.
If that was the case, runners would quickly give up during training when they experienced the pulled muscles, the bleeding blisters, the extreme exhaustion, the harsh elements of outdoor running, and so on.
I’ve been guilty in my past of making decisions with wrong heart motives and have experienced the consequences. But when God transformed my heart, He gave me a passion for the things that matter most, and the ability to pursue them.
Follow Your Passion
So what’s the difference between following a deceitful heart and following a transformed heart?
Appropriate passion.
Appropriate passion is not impulsive. Instead, it weighs the consequences.
And it’s willing to tolerate the suffering required for results.
Following a passionate, transformed heart is committing to something you know you must do.
Even when it scares you.
Even when it’s difficult.
Even when you’re tired.
Even when there’s some suffering involved.
It’s taking the time to do your research, make a plan and count the costs.
It’s being responsible to a transformed heart, instead of a slave to a deceitful heart.
When it comes to the big decisions in your life, which would you rather base those pivotal decisions on: pop psychology fluff, or truth?
Will you follow a deceitful heart, or a transformed heart full of appropriate passion? Something to think about!
