People searched for the word “purpose” more than 4 million times in the past month, according to Google’s keyword research. They searched for “meaning” over 11 million times in the past month. The word “careers” was looked up over 20 million times. Here are some additional searches in the past month based on Google’s data… “Money” – 45 million…  “Power” – 55 million…  “Sex” - (data not available).

It’s obvious people long for purpose and meaning in their lives. But as the stats above indicate, they often look for it in the wrong places.

So how do you get ”purpose” that you can be passionate about? And once you find it, how do you maintain the passion over the long haul?

During the Jesus movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s, many young people found a whole new reason for living. They were passionate about their faith in Jesus Christ. Their beliefs were so strong, they couldn’t help but show. Their actions revealed what they believed, and their enthusiasm was infectious. As a result, millions of others followed Jesus Christ.

Many business leaders and politicians work long and hard to develop a large following of tenacious, loyal, hard-workers like the Jesus people. But the Jesus movement grew phenominally without offering any of the typical rewards. No money. No influence. And no sex. It was something else.

They each experienced God. He reached out to us individually in a unique way. We responded. And He kept reaching out to us, until we got distracted or complacent — or both.

A couple of our distractions should have been obvious to us. They were the same things offered to Jesus when He first started His ministry: money and power. But instead of overcoming temptation with scripture like Jesus did, we failed miserably. We started “keeping up with the Jones” and acquiring things. Some of us failed morally. Others created a new hierarchy by putting ourselves in positions of leadership and dominating others with new methods and rules. And some did all of the above.

Thankfully the One who gives us ultimate purpose hasn’t changed. He’s still waiting with His hand outstretched. He’s still willing to reveal Himself and bless each of us. But if we want all He has to offer, I’m convinced we’ll need to seek Him with all of our hearts. Lukewarm won’t cut it. He wants to shower His goodness on us, like a loving Father. But He expects us to be passionate about our purpose. We need to give Him all we’ve got.

Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them.     – John 14:21

So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.     – Rev. 3:16