Springing Into Purpose: Notes from Angie Grant’s Talk at the InfluencHer Event on May 16, 2025
Are you feeling burnt out? Struggling to find excitement or purpose in your work or personal life? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us go through seasons where our passion fades, leaving us feeling dry and disconnected.
At the InfluencHer cohort gathering, we explored the theme of renewing our passion for faith and work.
Angie Grant, a spiritual leader who knows firsthand the toll that burnout and spiritual dryness can take, shared her story at the InfluencHer event. Her message resonated deeply with those of us facing moments of discouragement and weariness in our lives. Angie vulnerably shared her own journey, reminding us that feeling hopeless doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Her goal was simple: to offer hope to those who may be struggling today.
The Struggle with Passion
When we think about passion, we often think about the deep things in our lives—the inner drive that compels us to pursue something greater. We desire to be used by God, to live with purpose.
But sometimes, passion fades. Passion doesn't always stay strong—sometimes it’s dimmed by exhaustion, emotional burnout, or the grind of daily life. There are moments when everything makes sense: we’re burning bright, feeling connected, and we know we’re on the right path. But do we always stay in those moments? Unfortunately, no.
Passion ebbs and flows, much like the seasons in our lives. A helpful analogy is the image of a fire—beautiful, warm, and inviting. Many of us have fond memories of sitting around a bonfire, roasting marshmallows with friends or family. In this analogy, our passion is the fire.
But what happens when that fire goes out? It happens when we fail to feed it, to fuel it. When life becomes overwhelming or the pursuit of our goals loses its excitement, our passion can fade. It's crucial to recognize when this happens. Revelation 2:4 speaks to this—while the church may have looked good externally and fulfilled its mission, their deep love for Christ had faded. They had motion without meaning.
Angie posed a powerful question: Could your passion be fading?
Signs Your Passion May Be Fading
Here are a few warning signs that your passion might be slipping away:
You’re soul-tired or weary.
You’ve stopped dreaming.
You’re short-tempered or emotionally checked out.
You’re asking, “Why? What am I doing?”
You can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge. The first step to renewal is recognizing when your passion is fading. And remember, God’s sweet, gentle presence is there to meet you exactly where you are—right in the middle of your mess.
As leaders, we often find ourselves preparing to be the hands and feet of Jesus, even when we’re struggling to hear His voice ourselves. Angie shared a simple yet powerful practice: Practicing hearing the Voice of God. Take two minutes, open your journal, and write a letter as if it were coming from your Heavenly Father. Don’t overthink it—just write and listen. This practice can help you reconnect with God’s voice and reorient your heart.
During a challenging moment in Angie’s life, God gently reminded her, “Don’t forget the assignment.” It was exactly what she needed to hear. This reminder was life-changing. Don’t forget your assignment.
What is Your Mission?
When we lose sight of God’s purpose for our lives, we begin to rely on our own strength—and that will only take us so far. What is God calling you to do? What is He asking you to restore?
We are called to encourage one another in the journey. And when we remember our "Why," our fire returns, and we can step back into mission.
Rekindling the Fire
So how do we reignite a fire that’s gone out? We take intentional steps. We begin by stoking the embers—there’s still some heat there. Reflect on a time when you felt fully alive. What was that like? What activities gave you life, and what drained you? Ask yourself: What is God calling me to leave behind? He doesn’t want us to stay in a place that is suffocating our passion.
Here are some ways to rekindle the fire within:
Journal, pray, and reflect. These aren’t just spiritual practices—they’re vital for your emotional and mental health when you're feeling burnt out. Taking time to listen to God’s still, small voice can help you regain clarity and reconnect with your purpose.
Add to the fire. Try something new! Grow in different areas of your life. Revisit old routines with a fresh perspective.
Read Scripture with new eyes.
Seek a mentor.
Expand your circle of friends.
Re-invest in areas with new creativity and passion.
Blow on the coals. It takes effort to reignite a fire. Sometimes you have to do the thing before you feel the thing. Obedience often comes before emotion.
Serve, worship, and show up—even when you don’t feel like it.
Pursue excellence in everything you do.
Remove old ashes. Let go of what’s weighing you down. Scoop out the old ashes. What’s suffocating the fire? Ask God to clear away the debris and breathe new life into what’s grown cold.
We Were Created to Be Fire
We were never meant to settle for being smoke. We were created to burn brightly, to be the fire. Don’t let burnout snuff out the passion and purpose you were created for. Recognize the signs, take small, intentional steps, and watch as God breathes new life into your fire. The world needs the passion that only you can bring, so don’t settle for just getting by—reignite your purpose and live with intention again.
