Back in 2016 I started a tradition to come up with a word of the year. Basically, I started by praying and seeking guidance from the Lord to eventually come up with a specific word that I felt led to model my year after and pursue living this out in my day-to-day life. Because we are currently in the month of December I thought it would be a great time to share about these annual words since it’s almost the start of a new year. Here are some examples of words I have chosen:

JOY = 2016

FAITH = 2017

WORSHIP = 2018

MOTIVATED = 2019

PASSION = 2020

In one of my classes at school I was told to watch a TED talk and write notes on which parts stuck out to me. While listening to this talk I found one really good take away from it. The speaker talked about the meaning of the Okinawan word IKIGAI (ee-kee-gahy). The meaning of this is “the reason for which we wake up in the morning.” Our ikigai is what gives us the energy to succeed and be the best version of ourselves at the beginning of everyday.

Throughout this past year I have spent a lot of time focusing on understanding what my “ikigai” is and the things I am deeply passionate about. I have realized that it is easy for us to live an apathetic lifestyle. We become complacent with our routines, our relationships with other people, and our relationship with the Lord. We cultivate a spirit of fear that is unwilling to step out of ones comfort zone and will sacrifice the potential of significant growth for the feeling of contentment instead. This lifestyle can lead to people feeling empty and constantly on the hunt to find something more to satisfy them. Brokenness is visibly seen in many ways such as poverty, disease, divorce, abandonment, loss, heartbreak etc. Millions of people around the world are visibly broken. Overtime, I have wrestled with figuring out how this brokenness can be relieved amongst our society. Yes, we could simply give money to the poor or help support organizations to cure diseases, but does this really fix the ultimate problem? No! The problem is deeper than the surface. I have realized my passion is to seek out these broken people and intentionally pour into their lives relationally. By intentionally building relationships with others and together seeking the Lords purpose and direction can lead to true healing and ultimate satisfaction that earthly things could never provide.

I would encourage every person to sit and take time to ask the Lord what your personal ikigai is and what your passion may be about whether it relates to children, a sport, family, minority groups, a career etc. The list is limitless! Don’t feel like you have to rush this process. The Lord speaks to people in countless ways. I have realized that the more I place the Lord at the center of what I’m passionate about the more I am able to find fulfillment throughout the day. God want to give us the desires of our heart and He wants to stand beside us in this journey. If you don’t already know, ask the Lord to show you what He desires you to be passionate about. It’s never too late! Seek His guidance every step of the way and don’t become apathetic with the life God has blessed us with. Let create a culture that wakes up each morning and will intentionally pour into the places we our most passionate about and give glory to God every step of the way.

Prayer

Lord, reveal your heart to us. Let us be overwhelmed by You. Help us align our passions with the calling You have placed on our lives. Thank you for the gifts and talents you bless to each of your children. I pray for us to feel empowered through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Give us your strength on the hard days when we would rather stay in bed and not have to face the stress and anxiety of the world. Thank you for the days where we feel on fire to pursue You and also pursue the things that we are passionate about. Lord, help us form this feeling into a constant way of life. Thank you for your blessings. We love you Lord.