Passion, Purpose, & Pursuit

By now we’ve seen how fruit grows from roots, and how mentors multiply impact. But fruit without passion is bland, and pursuit without purpose is empty. Passion, purpose, and pursuit are what give life its flavor, and what channel our gifts outward.

Passion is what lights us up. Purpose is what grounds that fire in meaning. Pursuit is what keeps it from fizzling when the work gets hard. Together, they’re not about chasing applause, but about serving others with the gifts God has placed in us.

In my work with PGA Members, I notice the difference immediately. Some describe their careers in terms of tasks, meetings, and scorecards. Others talk about shaping culture, mentoring assistants, or growing the game. The second group has tapped into something deeper, passion aligned with purpose, sustained through pursuit. Their work carries energy that spills over to everyone around them.

Faith points us here too. Paul reminded Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6). A fire left untended goes cold, but one nurtured with purpose can warm others for years. Passion wasn’t given to us for our own enjoyment; it was entrusted to us for multiplication.

Culture gives us the same picture. During World War II, Desmond Doss served as a combat medic on Okinawa. A man of deep conviction, he refused to carry a weapon, but when his unit came under fire at Hacksaw Ridge, he stayed behind to rescue the wounded. Over hours of relentless pursuit, he lowered 75 men to safety, one by one, praying each time, “Lord, help me get one more.” For his courage, he received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor. His passion for his faith aligned with the purpose of saving lives, and his pursuit did not quit when it became costly.

At home, I see this dynamic every day. My wife is my mentor in ways she doesn’t even realize, her discernment with people, her wisdom in how she reads situations, her steady presence. She pursues relationships with a purpose I still aspire to. And my kids? They’re quick to spot what excites me. If they see Dad passionate about work but drained at home, they’ll learn that split. But if they see passion aligned with purpose, joy in service, laughter in family, gratitude in the season, they’ll learn that pursuit isn’t just about goals; it’s about love.

Here’s what I’ve learned: passion on its own can burn hot and fast, like a sparkler on the 4th of July. But when passion aligns with purpose, and we pursue it faithfully over time, it becomes a steady flame others can depend on.

Try This (As Thanksgiving Approaches)

1. Work: Write down one task that drains you and one that energizes you. How can you shift even an hour this week toward the energizing one?

2. Home: Ask your spouse or kids what they notice lights you up. Listen closely.

3. Mentorship: Share one story of when your pursuit paid off, not with a trophy, but with impact.

4. Leadership: As Thanksgiving nears, invite your team to name the people who have fueled their passion or sharpened their purpose, and then encourage them to thank those individuals.

5. Personal audit: Answer honestly: Is my pursuit right now aligned with my purpose, or am I just running hard in circles?

My Commitment

This fall, I’m committing to pursue passion with purpose in both my work and my home. With Members, that means helping them uncover not just the next job, but the calling behind it. At home, it means slowing down enough for my wife and kids to see that what excites me most is serving them well.

And you? As this season of gratitude approaches, may your passion fuel purpose, and your pursuit become a gift others can depend on.

Next time, we’ll explore vision, vocation, and vitality, how seeing clearly shapes the way we live fully.