For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Why is it important to know who you are (identity) to discover your passion? 

Knowing who you are is a big factor on influencing your passion. When Elaine talked about her passion she mentioned how she got there. She knew that her heart was set on serving children and therefore that became her passion. If Elaine did not know who she was, I believe that she would not have found her passion. A persons identity becomes what they live for. If a persons identity is unknown, then they do not know what they are living for. However someones passion can also identify their identity. When someone does not know who they are they should look at what they value and find worth in. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Passion-Identity-Passion

To me, I think it is important to know your identity before your passion because you know the purpose that you're doing it for. When your identity is grounded and has no chance of wavering, it makes a person that much more confident and determined. That then translates into passion because no matter what your passion is, you're doing it diligently and happily. If your identity  is centered around God, then you use your passion for the sole purpose of God. This idea of passion also stems from what your identity is founded in. For example, if your identity is in being an athlete, I'm sure your passion is going to deal with some types of sports/exercise. All in all, identity deals with things that you find worth and value in and your passions will simply reflect that.

Discovery 101: Passion

As Pastor Paul said, identity is our worth and values. A passion is something that people deem worthwhile and valuable, which directly connects to the definition of passion. In order to discover what excites us and makes us passionate, we have to know and identify ourselves. Also, our identities can help to direct us what our passions and callings may be. For example, going back to Pastor Paul's sermon again, if we know in our hearts that our identities are to be sons/daughters of God, then we should strive towards achieving that. Because that's what we truly desire, we'll want to become passionate for that cause. True passions clearly bring out and emphasize stengths, which make up one's identity. If you know someone's passions, then you may as well be learning more about who he/she truly is.