Find your “Passion”

By Del Duduit

What does It mean to be “passionate” about something?

Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “showing or caused by strong feelings or a strong belief.”  

Most of my books I have written were geared toward a group’s passion for my topic. Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful was written for supporters of Ohio State football, while obviously different fan bases are interested in reading Michigan Motivations: A Year of Inspirations with the University of Michigan Wolverines, Bama Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Roll Tide Faithful, or Auburn Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Tiger Faithful. You get the idea.

Passion.

My passion for writing has opened doors over the past few years and has brought people into my life who share my attraction to the written word.

Four years ago, I connected with a man who covered the Cincinnati Bengals, as I did. For a few weeks, we sat near each other in the media box and watched the team find creative ways to lose games.

We soon discovered we shared more than a love of writing about sports. We also found out we serve the same God, and a friendship was born.

John is a good friend who I have enjoyed sharing Skyline Chili with at halftime, something we will not do this year due to the team’s limited media privileges thanks to the coronavirus.

But instead, we now have another passion to share with each other.

Last week, we signed a contract with Indiana University Press to write a motivational and inspirational book about the University of Kentucky basketball program.

Now those fans are passionate.

And the book will be called Kentucky Passion. How appropriate?

We are both excited to work together from our home offices instead of a locker room inside the confines of the Jungle at Paul Brown Stadium.

Our passion has become a partnership.

John is relying on my experience in the publishing world while I am looking to him to help guide me through Big Blue Nation.

We are both thrilled that this book will tip off late in 2021.

 

We are passionate about this project. A couple of years ago, we just sat next to each other and predicted what excuses Marvin Lewis would make in his pressers. We discussed book ideas over meals and during our many trips to get popcorn in between television time outs.

We didn’t rush God’s timing, but He has worked it out for His good.

Having a passion to do something is wonderful, but you have to work at it to keep the embers glowing.

In order to make sure your fire does not go out, consider the following:

• Stay humble: Look at opportunities as blessings instead of expectations.
• Experience God’s real forgiveness: Never take this for granted. Honor the fact that He has forgiven your past and has made a way for you to live forever. Let Him instill a passion inside you to work for His kingdom.
• Your main passion should be to serve the Lord FIRST: Give your life to God before you expect Him to give to you. He wants to be your heart’s desire.
• Be grateful: If you want God’s best for you, thank Him for the blessings He has already given you. Don’t ever take His goodness for granted.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. – Colossians 3: 23 JV

John and I have spent many hours discussing books and publishing when we should have been watching the Bengals blow a huge lead. But at the end of the day, these experiences have led us to this great opportunity to work together on an awesome project.

I will learn a great deal about the passion of the Kentucky fan base, and John will have the opportunity to relive all the wonderful moments he has covered over the years. It’s a win-win.

Together, we will use this book to encourage Wildcat fans and share some of the many reasons that UK Basketball has been so successful over the years. We can apply their model of hard work, determination, and a winning attitude to lead us to victory in our own everyday lives.

And that is something we are both passionate about.

Stay tuned.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.