The LifeVesting Cycle
Stage 1: Allocate your resources
Stage 2: Explore the possibilities.
Stage 3: Follow your passion.
Heart Island and Boldt Castle (Click picture to enlarge)
George Boldt had the touch. And everything he touched seemed to prosper. The son of poor parents, Mr. Boldt came to America in the 1860s from Prussia. George was a man of tremendous industry and organizational skill. With daring and imagination, he became the most successful hotel magnate in America. He was also the president of several other companies, and director of the Hotel Association of New York. For George, to “dream” and to “do” were the same thing. However fantastic his dreams, they happened.
But business wasn’t his passion.
Louise was.
And what he did, he did for her.
As a testimony to his love for his wife, George purchased an island on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands Region, and had it carved into the shape of a heart. He renamed it Heart Island and began preparing for the greatest achievement of his lifetime – a Valentine’s Day present for his wife. You’ve heard that a man’s home is his castle? For George, this was literally true. He would build Louise a castle.
George spared no expense. He invested $2.5 million (in 1900 currency), bringing in the finest artists and most skilled craftsmen for the project. He imported marble from Italy, stone from Scotland, and art from the treasures of Europe. The towers and spires rose imperiously over the waters of the St. Lawrence, and the castle looked as if it would rival those that dot the Rhine. Rising six stories from the foundation level of the indoor swimming pool to the highest tower room, an elevator served the 120-room mansion with its 365 windows. In all, there would be eleven buildings, including a clock tower, a power house, a playhouse, and a gazebo.
Then in January 1904 tragedy struck. Louise Boldt died, and with her, the dreams of a lifetime. Heartbroken, George sent a telegram to his construction crews, ordering all work to cease. Three hundred workers dropped their tools and left the site. George Boldt never returned to Heart Island again.
For 70-plus years, the castle and other structures were left to the mercy of the elements and vandals. People docked their boats and wandered the lonely halls of a monument to the death of passion.
Many people’s lives are like Boldt Castle. Half-built and empty, somewhere along the way they lost their passion. Maybe it died with a relationship. Maybe they just lost sight of it. In either case, their dreams have languished because they’re just going through the motions.
That was true of the nation of Israel. For years they bounced back and forth from idolatry to faith in the living God. For years, He warned them of a judgment to come, and for years, they abandoned their first love for the sake of pleasure. One day, God came collecting.
Sometimes we don’t realize what we love most until we no longer have it. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy,” the psalmist said, as he celebrated Israel’s homecoming (Psalm 126:5). Until you’ve discovered what moves you, burdens you, or breaks your heart, you have yet to find what it takes to truly invest your life in a desired result. Sooner or later your “harvest” has to matter enough that you will weep over it – or reach for it in spite of your broken heart.
In Psalm 126 I see four ideas for following your passion.
1. Clarify Your Values.
How do you define what you love most deeply? This psalm answers that by offering the strange image of a weeping farmer. Why would a farmer weep when he planted seed? And what does that have to do with passion?
He would weep because the labor is hard. Your passion is what you put your hardest work into.
He would weep because some of the places where he labored were a long way from home, and subject to danger from thieves and marauders. He literally took his life in his own hands to provide for his family. Your passion is what you would risk everything for.
He would weep because he was often poor, and to plant would require he literally take food from his kids’ mouths in order to establish a future harvest. Your passion is what you would sacrifice your last dollar for, or say “no” to loved ones for.
2. Change your focus
Remember, Israel as a nation loved their homes and land, and, deep down, loved God. But they sacrificed their first love on the altar of pleasure, money, or pride. The result: it destroyed a generation and cost them their homeland.
We can make the same mistake. There is a huge difference between your passion and your pleasure! You may say you love your family, but if you never talk to your kids or spend quality time with your spouse, where is the passion in that? Passion follows focus.
3. Celebrate your progress
That’s what this psalm is – it’s a celebration of the progress made. At this time, Israel was just an empty shell of its former glory. But that didn’t stop them from celebrating the good things God had done.
Look for ways to celebrate your progress. A few years ago, Chris Faubus, a lady in our church, changed careers and launched a Visiting Angels business here in Lubbock. More than just a business, it’s a labor of love as they help with daily clients’ daily care needs. When Chris approached their second anniversary of successful service and growth, she decided that rather than have a reception, they would do something really special. They launched Operation Golden Rule, which engages the entire city in bringing personalized gift baskets to every Nursing Home resident in Lubbock and the surrounding counties. Now that’s a real celebration based on their deepest passion.
4. Continue your pursuit
This psalm celebrates Israel’s restoration, but recognized that people still remained in capativity. They wouldn’t rest until everybody came home. Remember that this step involves following your passion. It’s probably a lifelong pursuit. Also remember that sometimes the same pursuit will take you in different directions.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can unearth some cool, calculated formula, start the machine rolling, and sit as a spectator while the returns roll in. This is your life we’re talking about! If you’ve yet to get the memo, read it here: You’re going to be tested. Can you still take action when you’re exhausted to tears? Can you invest in someone else’s growth or healing when it feels as though nobody is investing in yours? In God’s kingdom, if you can “take it or leave it,” God will leave it every time.
Remember the mournful remains of what was to be Boldt Castle? In 1977 the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired Heart Island and preserved the castle for future generations to enjoy. They never knew Louise. But they understood the love that began building her home.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to pursue your deepest passions. Just as craftsmen can build a house, you can make a living. But only passion can truly build a home. And only passion can design a life. Don’t leave your life as a sad monument to the death of first love. Build your castles! And finish the job. Your life, dreams, and legacy are worth it.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Boy, I can relate to this one! And so often, finding your passion ends up being something you never dreamed you’d be doing! God’s ways are indeed above ours! Great, GREAT post, Andy.
Tree Newts last blog post..Something to Consider…
Thanks, Mattie! I know you’re sure living that out these days!
Andy, being from upstate NY, I am familiar with this sad story and the beautiful unfinished castle. As all of us who are new seminarians had orientation yesterday, we were reminded why we were here. Worship is at the heart of all we do as individuals, a community of faith, as followers of the crucified One. For me, it was one of those times that once again let me know I was in the right place to grow and learn. Peace.
Ivys last blog post..Powerful Prayer
{ 1 trackback }