(Mark 8: 22-26)

Jesus healed a blind man when he laid his hands on the man’s eyes so that he could see clearly. The first time, the blind man told Jesus that he could only see people like a tree. So He put his hands on the man’s eyes a second time, and the blind man could see clearly. Did Jesus not have the power to put His hands on the man’s eyes once to instantly heal him, or to put His hands on the man’s eyes twice?

Of course, God does not lack the power to accomplish anything in our lives for the first time. God wanted to test the blind man's faith, if he could tell God that this is not 100% done, and may He do more in his body so that his eyes may be enlightened. Circumstances today, when we try to accomplish something in the first place, we may not achieve it. Then we must not be discouraged and give up the passions to achieve dreams in our lives. Some who have worked hard for many years have encountered endless obstacles, and haven't given up.

We know that some who give up end up suffering even more. On the other hand, those who fail once and then try to stand and move forward, yet still they do not succeed and they keep trying harder, finally will always get better results and lead to success and fulfilled dreams in their lives.

Keeping the passion is an expression of our faith and confidence. Regardless of your religion, God has set the law for all the people on earth, to live and work hard for abundant lives. It is God's plan for us to receive the good destiny He has in store for us. We can have a fullness of life, physically and mentally, including material prosperity and spiritual growth that are in harmony with God. However, many people, even if they are not connected with God, the laws of the world that God has ordained for man allow them to reap the full benefits of labor and hard work. Endless and righteous living and perseverance are essential to our characters so that even when we are in the face of adversity, there is still resilience.

Keeping our passion alive is a profound responsibility and we must do our best before seeking help from outside. Just because we've started doing something that hasn’t yet been accomplished, it does not mean that we are incapable of doing it. Sometimes that is just time for a test for us to seek help. Help can come from someone else who is sent to you or someone you need to reach out to get help. We must do our best and in faith.

Keeping passion to rebuild your marriage: 

Many people may have been abandoned by their partner. At that time, we may feel that the dream of building a happy family and marriage has now passed away. If you find yourself in such a situation, do not give up on yourself. Maybe we need to meet friends, pastors or elders who have understood those hurtful situations and can encourage us to start again by renewing our goals that lead us to achieving them. Do not blame yourself, because when we do that, we are letting that situation put us, our future as well as our marriage in more trouble. But the reality is not miserable like that because before we were born, God has already well planned for our futures.

Some have good marriages and spouses but have no children. Before marriage, we used to dream of having children, but now our dream has not come true. We may blame ourselves or our spouse. Now, be hopeful again and try to find a good way. We must believe that this is only the first step. There is still a time when everything will be as we desire, so do not give up.

One true story is that a couple have been childless for more than 10 years after they were married. They are both very desperate! The husband works as an electrical engineer and the wife is a businesswoman. They tried their best to have children no matter how much it costs. Every time we meet them, we feel sorry for them and always encourage them to work hard. Thank God, one day their dreams came true after giving birth to a son. Only two years later, they gave birth to another daughter, a special gift that doubled their faith.

We must try our best, even if it means to fail once or twice to achieve our aspirations. Sometimes a voice tells us we can not do it. We lack the ability to reach them. We lack the budget, unlike others. We are weak. Our illness will not be cured. Our children will not be able to grow up like others’. We will suffer poverty because we are trapped in debt, etc.

When we hear the messages above, we need to know that this is a lie. These messages are only to discourage us, and they are not true. We must remember that our destiny is determined by God. Just ask Him to lay His hands on us, and He will be glorified. We need to work very hard to overcome this lie. We must not allow all these lies to take over our lives. Whenever we look to God and strive to act in His direction, we are slowly moving toward achieving our desires.

Keep your passion even when you are not recognized or promoted: 

Sometimes we are disappointed when we are not recognized or promoted in the workplace to gain a higher income. But in this case, our boss or management did not see our work, but it doesn't mean that one day we will be promoted to the desired position or salary scale we wish to get because we keep trying to do a better job. Our colleagues will start to see our productivity. Your leadership is beginning to be recognized for our potential competence. Who can be the light and salt in the workplace yet if we are not rewarded by our heavenly boss? Acting as a light and salt is a commandment of God for all of us who live on earth everywhere, especially in the workplace. We do not have to shout at them, “What a wonderful person I am!” But the actions/deeds we show to others around us are so effective that they can determine our true productivity.

Now we may need to maintain a higher level of commitment, improve our skills and abilities to meet the qualification requirements for any position we are aspiring to and will lead us to achieve our goal.

Keep your passion in the economic crisis: 

In recent years, there have been a series of economic crises affecting our daily lives. In particular, the high profile as well as ordinary businessmen are all under pressure. Global as well as the domestic economies have led some people to doubt that some are still able to move forward. But others have decided to close down their businesses. Some people who make the decision to change can still find a new business that can lead to a better income. Some people face more serious consequences from the decision, but still need to solve it and have not yet gotten out. Living in such a crisis life has never been easy. Keeping the passion so that we are able to solve the ongoing problems is a good way of life. Even if you sometimes live in a crisis, it is a step forward, a practical experience that you have encountered and make you the way out.

When we are trying to keep your passion alive, you persevere in the way you solve problems. Let's hope that one day the problems today are dealt with, just like the blind eyes will be opened.

Sometimes we seem to see ourselves at such a low stage that makes us not strong enough to look up. But now, it is the time to find someone to help us. Stay close to the friends who always give us a positive view, rather than finding people who make us wasting or people who like to blame us for being deep in trouble. Get more positive energy from yourself and the people around you. But do not let those energies diminish through negative, stress, anger, frustration, hostility, worries, anxiety and all of which are absorbed by our feelings or emotions and sometimes cause us to become too overwhelmed, no ability to start something new.

Know that the world we live in is full of challenges and testing that we must overcome. To test whether we are strong enough to accept the lofty position, sacred things that are given on this earth that each of us must first be tested before can accept it. Even Jesus showed the world that when He came into the world, He was tempted by Satan. He got through all those trials before starting the great mission. Of course! Attitude is the core that we need to test. Sometimes we get through a broken relationship so that we can be strong in the leadership of our family and able to help other families. Sometimes we have to wait 10 years after marriage to receive a child so that we can take good special care of the gift of life that God has given to us. We have to wait a long time for a promotion so that you can become a good leader, a potential ruler, to be the light and salt for the glory of God in our workplace. The recent economic crisis may also lead us to be more humble to seek help from others. Especially, we need to draw closer to God. Therefore, strive to keep our passion intact in all circumstances, so that we can let God's promises come true in each of our lives.

- by Chin Soksan 

(English​ edited by Darryl Record)