The Potential of Our Passions

Across the world, there are people of all backgrounds and stories who are struggling in one way or another. There are refugees fleeing from the Middle East, finding safe havens in Europe and neighboring countries. There are young, orphaned children fighting to survive in Africa, yearning for an education and a home. There are impoverished people on the streets across America, looking for shelter and sustenance – even in our own backyard of Waco. There are struggles everywhere that we look. Those who are struggling are in constant need of hope.

On the contrary, within Baylor and within the BIC, most of us have found our niche. We have found that one thing, that one subject, that one hobby, that keeps us sane in the whirlwind that is Baylor’s BIC. Whether it is choir, crew, or any number of clubs, there is a place for our passions here at Baylor.

Jon Burns, CEO and founder of Lionsraw, has managed to put his passion into practice with his foundation. Lionsraw utilizes his passion for soccer and tenacity of its fans for the betterment of communities in impoverished countries. Lionsraw uses soccer to teach life skills, raise awareness for social issues, and form broad alliances to enable social change. Burns has not only joined his love for soccer with his desire to change the world, but he has also made a global impact on society.

Burns’ platform for passion and global change is inspiring, the vision of which he shared during chapel at Waco Hall on Monday, September 21. Burns said, “I love coming to Waco, because of all the potential I see in the students I speak to. I did not get an education like you or even have the potential you possess; I am just an ordinary guy, and look at what God did with me. Imagine what God can do with you.”

Burns’ humble words sparked a reality in me – there is potential within all of us. I wrote about our potential as college students to make a difference in spreading awareness of the Syrian refugee crisis, and that potential doesn’t have to end there.

Burns shared stories with the students about horrific events that he has experienced as well as the tragic events which often befall those who he helps. He spoke about the refugees that are throwing their babies across electric fences – just to give them an inch of hope. He spoke about a teenage orphan who attended one of his schools in Africa, she who was attacked and left for dead on the side of the road. He shed light on the realities, not just the news stories.

We all have a passion. Name it and I’m sure Baylor has a club or intramural for it. Our passions can be used to change the world, we just have to activate the change. As stated earlier, our passions keep us sane, but imagine our passions changing the lives of someone across the world? We are constantly waiting for Canvas to update itself and post new grades. Meanwhile there are children currently being separated from their families or young orphans experiencing the horrors of war.

Now pause for a second – we drown ourselves in the hectic lifestyle that every college student attains, and we sit here concerning ourselves with exams and GPAs when there are men, women, and children on the other side of the world waiting for us to ignite our passions for a change. Every passion matters, and every passion can become a platform for social change. Our potential is present, we just have to put it into practice.

For more information, check out Lionsraw.org.

Kassie Hsu is a freshman BIC student majoring in neuroscience.