If you answered YES to all three questions, I have good news for you!

Eric Liddell, gold medalist in the 1924 Olympics, on whom the movie Chariots of Fire was based, said this:
“I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.”
Eric went on to be a missionary in China and I doubt that he would have stopped running when he got there.

Have you ever felt God’s pleasure when pursuing your activity?

I remember riding my bicycle across the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. It was ten days of enjoying God’s splendor up close and slow. After climbing to yet another summit, stopping at the top for a much-needed break, I suddenly felt His pleasure. What a feeling that was!
The memory of that moment still makes me smile.

What are you passionate about? I don’t mean your church or your family, but what do you enjoy doing in your downtime? What would you like to be doing but are not finding time to do it? Take a moment to think about it; perhaps make a list including the things you have always wanted to do but have not gotten around to doing.

Then think about how you might be able to include those who don’t know Jesus like you know him into that past time.

There are untold stories of how God has used tentmakers in the hard places and often the breakthrough has come while doing something they love and are passionate about.

Sandboarding in the Libyan desert, hiking in the Atlas Mountains, camping in an Algerian oasis, rifle shooting contest with a village leader in Afghanistan, backgammon games in the marketplace in Morocco, chess club in Mauritania, giving guitar lessons in Tunisia, joining a mountain bike group in Asia, starting a diving school in Seychelles, joining local surfers in Maldives and many, many more stories like this. All of these stories were the catalyst to solid friendships that led to ever deepening spiritual discussions.

The Lesson: Your Passion = His Glory

When we are enjoying our interest, we are also very true to being ourselves. It’s pretty tough to fake it with a bunch of people who are also enjoying their interest. At our tentmaking courses we encourage people to bring their interests with them and allow God to use it for His glory – Your Passion – His Glory!

By Ari Rocklin