Passion

“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment”. - Ecclesiastes 11:9 (ESV)

Be happy

    As I read this one I tried looking back at the days of my youth. I asked myself what are the things that I enjoyed doing. What are the moments that I feel an extreme sense of happiness within me? How I am spending my time on weekends? Or how I am spending my time after classes. On weekends, I usually watch anime in the afternoon after class on a limited basis and play PlayStation with my cousins who just live at the back of our house. More happiness is when Friday comes when me and my cousins got a chance to visit our uncle to the other town to play. But the ultimate happiness is the tv show marathon from 6 pm – 10 pm. The bible study, couples night, cell group of my parents (or whatever you call it) is around at the same time. I have the luxury to watch anime or comedy shows the entire night with my other uncle and cousins. It feels like a feast! I could indulge myself all night long sometimes with PlayStation too. My mom only allows me to use Gameboy on weekends. So Friday is always the most awaited moment in my life.

    In the summer before entering high school my parents enrolled me into taekwondo which would become later a part of my life at least for the next decade. I participated in competitions and a lot of trainings even during on weekdays. My normal day of watching tv shows in the afternoon has been shared with spending time training and doing hundreds of kicks every day. Somehow I think it developed discipline and time management in my life. The last sentence of the verse in NLT states, “But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do”- Ecclesiastes 11:9. We can do anything in our lives. We have the freedom to choose on which path to take. We have a free will to choose our hobbies or interests in life without any external influence, even on how we spend our time. But time will come that God will take into account what we did. That includes how we manage our time here on earth. Specifically in this example my youth. I tried of having a balance of just watching tv shows and investing my life into sports which is more of my physical exercise. 

    Growing up I gain more freedom, During my college years I met new people and hanged out to new places for the youth like malls and parties. I have fewer restrictions and fewer curfews. The normal 7:30 am – 3 pm of schooling turned into broken and varying hours thus hard for my parents to keep track of. They asked questions less frequently about where I'm going compared to before when I was in high school. I gain more freedom and seem to have more control of my time, of my life. The question is what do I do then? The verse says, “Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes.”- Ecclesiastes 11:9 (ESV). NIV seems to be more aggressive replacing the “walk” to “follow”. “Follow the ways of your heart”.- Ecclesiastes 11:9. NLT is the most relatable and commonly heard day, “Do everything you want to do; take it all in”.- Ecclesiastes 11:9

Do anything you want

    I forgot how many times I would often ask someone after sharing the options of my plans in the future they would often tell me, “You can do anything you want”. I was talking to a manager. I told him, “Do you think I can become a physicist?” Then he replied, “You can do anything you want”. I was talking to a member of Goodlife after chatting about some paralegal opportunities, then I heard the same thing.

    I somehow figured out what I want to do during those years. I want to have some fun. I want to meet new friends to expand my network. I still want to be active in sports without compromising my academics. At the same time to serve and to develop my spiritual life. I already knew the importance of not indulging my free time through just hanging out with friends and have some fun but also living a well-balanced life and focusing on what is essential because I know I'm going to give an account to God. I'll be facing him unto the judgment day. 

    What is essential reflects on what I prioritize. I keep in mind to spend a short time with God every day to do my devotions. It doesn't matter how short or how long it is. I planned to be consistent. Next is my studies. I make it a point to always be prepared for every course I attend and maintain an above-average grade. The level of my enjoyment of those two unintentionally progressed in my life which I can say is true on what I'm doing at present. Studying and studying getting degrees in the subjects I like the most. Theology, biblical studies, and spirituality. My love of continuous learning and serving people.

    The other two that I share my time with during my college years which also reflect my joy are dancing and serving the youth. Both have the element of meeting new friends and expanding my network. From watching tv shows in the afternoon became dance trainings on weeknights. From playing games with cousins to becoming involved in the youth on weekends. How I spent my weekly routine became more and more enjoying, fulfilling, and productive because I'm attaining my goal of a well-balanced and developed life. 

    My youthful years have already passed. I'm already living in this season of singleness and adulthood. But it doesn't mean that the verse doesn't apply anymore. Though specifically addressed to the young generation it still true in the older people. Follow our hearts but also be reminded that God will account for everything on what we did on the judgment day. 

    Both principles of that verse which are to do everything I want to do and God will account for all of it are still in effect to every human forever. My Old Testament professor comments this insightful thought, "Could it be that as we are increasingly formed spiritually, that our desires and God's desires are not so different?"

Serve the community

    The freedom of the will and passion keep on repeating popping in my brain upon meditating on this verse. We have the free-will of choosing whatever we like to do in life. Bellinger's conclusion is, “So humans are to accept life and make the most of it in community”.¹ He also states that one course of action is to “help each other”.² If we have a free-will and we are going to face God in judgment. How are we to show God that we help, love, care, and serve one another?

    As I continually relate that verse in my life today. I'm connected to the community and serving through joining the fellowship and praying. I find joy whenever I conduct small group meetings, encouraging the youth and praying for them. My very passion right now is to do ministry and have biblical discussions with people. Discussions that are mutually edifying.

    With the given circumstances in your life today, what gives you the most pleasure? What are the things that you truly enjoy? Now, my next question is, what are you passionate about? Maybe a skill, a hobby, or an interest. Playing instruments perhaps? Or maybe art? Like drawing and painting? What is inside your heart? The thing that you really want to do daily even for the rest of your life? Then try it to share with someone else or even to volunteer to your church. We are made to help each other. We are created for the community.

Bibliography

Bellinger, W.H. Jr. The Testimony of Poets and Sages: ThePsalms and Wisdom Literature.

Macon: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., 1998.

1W. H. Bellinger, Jr., The Testimony of Poets and Sages: ThePsalms and Wisdom Literature (Macon: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., 1998), 101.

2Ibid., 96.