"Do What You Love"


That is one of “The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs,” the founder of Apple, according to communications coach Carmine Gallo (as quoted by Wilson Lee Flores in his business column, “Bull Market, Bull Sheet.” Philippine Star, January 31, 2011). Jobs is a very passionate person. When he founded Apple, “Jobs’ vision was to put a computer in the hands of everyday people.” (Ibid) One time Jobs said to his employees, “People with passion can change the world for the better.” He even declared to a TV reporter, “I want to make a ding in the universe.” (Ibid) And when he called upon Pepsi executive James Sculley to join Apple, Jobs challenged him with this change-the-world passion, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?” (Ibid)

Passionate people are potent. Changing the world (or “making a ding in the universe”) is a commendable cause. But there’s a higher cause (in fact, it’s the highest cause) that ought to charge up our passion. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV) Changing the world is just a by-product of being committed to God’s glory. The apostle Paul is one such avid person for God’s glory. When Agabus warned him through a prophecy that he will be imprisoned in Jerusalem, Paul fearlessly declared, “For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13) He lived to the max for His glory. He sacrificed his life for God. In fact, he declared to his protégé, Timothy, before the Roman Empire executed him, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) What was the driving force that fueled him? Verse 8 tells us: “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” It is his passion for the Lord’s coming that moved him to fight, to finish and to keep.

What about us? What are we so passionate about? One way to know the answer is to listen to ourselves speak. Jesus said that “out of the abundance of the heart [the] mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45b) What do we usually talk about with anybody and everybody? I am not saying that we pepper our talk with “Hallelujahs!” But, if we are so consumed with God’s glory, it will come out of our everyday conversations.

Brethren, let us be passionate for God’s glory.

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