This is My Anthem

Last night, Pastor Sheila talked to us about Anthems - she helped us find ours.

My immediate response, when I saw the list of things to choose from, was FAITH. Obviously. It's my heart and soul; the backbone of everything I am. So, when I first impulsively chose my Anthem, it was to "illuminate and inspire faith".

And as soon as I had written the words, I knew that it wasn't correct. It didn't feel right; in my heart of hearts, there was no "wow" factor.

I knew that while Faith is my number one, it is nothing unless it is fueled by something. Just like love is nothing unless it is caught on fire. A life lived with no determination, no drive, no consuming desire... is no life to live. It's a void that cannot be filled, by just obediant Faith. There was something more.

So, I meditated on the words floating around my page. I picked different verbs, rearranged them, threw random words in... hoping to find something I liked. I prayed that God would shout my Anthem to me; light it on fire right before my eyes so I could breathe a sigh of relief, write it in my trusty journal with lots of underlines and cute little stars and swirls, and begin to focus on it daily.

That's definitely not how He works. :)

In my confusion, He was gently reminding me that I have known my Anthem for years. I've even recited it to people, in a variation of words. He's shown me over and over again what my purpose, strength and calling actually is.

It's something I possess that sometimes can be mistaken for extreme emotion. It causes me to over-analyze the smallest situation, find excitement in the tiniest detail, and laugh ridiculously when the joke isn't even that funny. It's why diving headfirst is the only way I can approach a scary situation. It's wreckless abandon; extreme faith... hesitation doesn't live here. It's encouraging people when they radiate with doubt, it's wanting something so badly that it brings you to tears.

It's Passion.

When I arrived at work this morning, my Anthem was clear.

We know of the Passion of Christ; the intensity of his love and devotion, the life He lived at the intersection of Passion and Purpose. That is what I want to see. This is what inspires ME.

I want to see Passion in the lives of our generation.

When I love, I want to love passionately and without reservation. I want to inspire people to do the same.

When I write, I want to write with a passion so strong that it paints vivid pictures in your mind. I want to inspire people to do the same.

When I worship, I want to worship with a passion so intense that it can be felt from the furthest point in the room. And I want to inspire people to do the same.

I want people to want something so badly for their lives, for this world, for our generation - that it moves them to tears. Passion is something within YOU, that, if used correctly can be felt by someone else.

And THAT... is too cool for words :)

Determining my Anthem reaffirmed things in my life, that I didn't realize needed affirmation. I know that Im not wired to live a passive life.

So. I live to continually ignite, increase and inspire passion, in my generation.

This is my Anthem.