Plugged In - by Jim Derrington

“Follow your passion” is advice which I have given over the years to countless young people. For example, in practical terms, this might best be understood by teenagers who are considering which career or job to take. Choose work whereby you don’t need parental support to get you up in the morning. Rather, you spring out of bed, fuelled entirely by self-motivation, never late to work because a certain passion accompanies you.

We are all made different and are all made with a purpose in mind. When we ‘plug-in’, the lights come on. Have you heard the term ‘born for this’ or ‘you are a natural’? Unbridled enthusiasm and enjoyment for a job or vocation often is an affirming guide and encouragement for any person, young or older. The lesson to learn is to ‘plug into your passion’. 

So, what is your passion? Are you truly plugged in? One sure sign that the plug is actually detached and the switch is in the off position is a lack of real passion for anything. You need others to ‘get you out of bed’ so to speak. 

Of all the people on earth, it might be expected that we, the believers and followers of Jesus, would be a people of passion, brave, adventurous, and of good energy. In the economy of God, we know and have our being, every day is new, full of hopeful possibilities and good probabilities. God’s promises and wisdom can come to light in any and every moment of our lives… if indeed, we wake up as one who is ‘plugged in’.

Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings (me and you) is to search things out.

We sing and pray all the time that our God is a great God. One of the truly great things about God is that he knows what we don’t. He conceals things for His good purposes and in so doing displays his glory, thus says King Solomon in his God-given wisdom. The glory of God is that He knows concealed things; the glory of man is in the searching out of these things.

In our relationship with God, as we seek His word and his presence, we “plug-in”. I can’t think of anything more wonderful and exciting than hearing, learning or seeing clearly God’s previously concealed things. You don’t need a preacher, favourite song or book to search out God and His hidden things, you just need a passion that is self-motivated. 

When a young man or woman finds a genuine passion and their own self-motivation becomes the driver who can know how far it will take them? So too, just how far will God take you and I when we truly search out God’s concealed things?

 We need to understand one further thing. We must be willing to unplug in order to plug-in.

Romans 12:2 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’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.

God’s will for your life, once hidden, will unfold and be revealed… the outcome for anyone who searches God’s hidden things.