Every year I find myself writhe with conviction on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I’ll re-read excerpts from his books and sermons, listen to his speeches and watch his interviews all the while my heart burns, my spirit dances, and my stomach ties knots. The guy ruins me. His rhetoric, his passion and influence flood out from my computer and wash over me with revelatory waves of dreams, ambitions and courage. I feel stronger just listening to him, and yet I can also feel so small.

Have you ever been around someone with an all-consuming passion? A passion that they were willing to spend their entire life pursuing, perfecting and promoting?  I’m not describing people who merely talk about what they “love” or spend a lot of time doing something they enjoy. I mean people who live from a passion that sweeps you off your feet and carries you into their dream and vision. There are tons of passionate people, but few who can actually influence and lead people into their passion. These are the people that are changing the world. These are the people we fall in love with.

I have to ask myself the question, “What am I passionate about?” And whatever my answer is, it’s followed by another question, “Are you really?” I believe that if I’m really passionate about something, then I should be leading people into an encounter with that passion. I should be influencing people into that passion. I’m reminded of a quote that has stirred my heart for two years now:

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up men that will just build it. Instead, teach them the desire of the sea.” – Antione de Saint-Exupery (French Pilot)

In other words, don’t just pay people to follow you, but infect them with your passion so that they desire to follow you. That’s true leadership and true passion.

So what are you passionate about? Are you really?