DAY THREE: What Drives Your Life

(Got a little off track the last few days due to a family beach trip on Friday and then Michael's soccer tournament this past weekend in Perdido Key.)

"What drives your life?" was the title of Chapter 3 in The Purpose Driven Life.  The question glared at me from the top of the page.  It immediately captured my attention.  Before even reading a single word of the chapter I was already prayerfully considering what my answer would be.

"Everyone's life is driven by something." (Warren)  So what was driving my life?  Was it God or was it me?  After taking a long, introspective look I decided that at times, it was God driving my life.  However, quite honestly, lately it's definitely me.  I seemed to have no problem shoving God out of the drivers seat...like a little child demanding, "Hey, I want to drive!" 

But as I read further through the chapter, I began to learn more about myself.  I learned that my desire to 'drive' my life stems from areas in which I lack trust in God.  For example, when I'm stressed, facing a problem, or dealing with pressure I tend to want control.  Sure, I pray about it but at times, even after praying, I hold onto the problem.  I even recognize that I have a tendancy of turning something over to God, completely trusting Him at the moment I do so, only to later attempt to wrestle it right back from Him. I have control issues.  I like to drive.

So, what drives my life?  Warren outlines five of the most common emotions that can drive your life.

• Guilt
• Resentment and anger
• Fear.
• Materialism
• Approval

I must admit at various times I've been driven by each and everyone of these.  Fear, materialism, and approval are my biggest three weaknesses.  I admit, I'm a scardy cat.  I think that's why I like to have control and why it's hard for me to yield things to God sometimes.  Materialism is another weakness.  I like clothes.  I like shoes.  I like shopping.  I'm an impulsive shopper.  It is a weakness that I've learned over the years to yield to God.  Though not perfect yet, I have improved the most in this area thanks to some hard learned lessons.  My need for approval is probably the biggest driving force in my life.  I simply want to please everyone.  And though I know I can't, I will kill myself trying to.  It's only been in recent years that I've learned that the approval of others is fleeting.  Instead of seeking the approval of men, I should instead focus on pleasing God.  But still, it is hard for me to do so.

Recognizing what drives your life is like an addict facing the root of their addiction...it's the starting point for fulfilling God's purpose for your life.  Understanding what drives my life forced me to face up to the fact that I wasn't exactly the Christian I thought I was.  I had in my mind that I was free from some of the problems that seem to drive the lives of others.  I never thought that there might be something other than God driving my life at this point in my Christian walk. After all, I considered myself a 'mature' Christian.  Though I knew I wasn't perfect, I thought that I had developed a more complete and trusting relationship with God that I actually had.  In other words, I was a legend in my own mind!  The reality was quite different than my perception.  I still have stuff...lots of stuff.. to work on!

Understanding what drives your life is an important step in knowing God's purpose for your life.  You can't live a life on purpose for Him if He's not the one driving!

Living a life on purpose for God has some pretty amazing benefits.  Of course, our motivation for living for God should be first and foremost because He is God, He is glorious, and He loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place for our sins.  But there are some other benefits for a purpose that are intertwined with His wonderful character.  Knowing your purpose:

• Gives meaning to your life.
• SIMPLIFIES your life.  (Boy did this speak to me!  This would define what you do and don't do.  Before making choices or commitments, ask yourself, "Does this activity or choice fulfill God's purpose for my life?)
• Focuses your life.  (You can concentrate your efforts on what is important.)
• Motivates your life.
• Prepares you for eternity.

Wow, I had no expectation of what God would reveal to me this morning through this study.  I had a head-on collision with truth.  It hurt to realize that I didn't have it all together like I thought.  But I'm now on the road to living the life God purposed for me.  I'll admit, I'm a piece of work.  It will take time.  And I will mess up.  But God can do wonders!  I've just got to let Him drive. 

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot...after reading this devotion as I was on my way to work this morning, KLOVE was playing Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel."  I think God was really trying to 'drive' this point home.  Gotta love how our wonderful God works!

By the way, what drives your life?

VERSE:  You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you."  Isaiah 26:3

Question to Consider:  What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life?  What do I want it to be?

Praying for you, friends!
In His Love, Cathy

(Warren, Rick.  The Purpose Driven Life.  Zondervan.  2002.  Print.)