What Drives You?

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (II Corinthians 5:14, 15 NIV84).

Two weeks ago, I attended a missions conference.  The theme was “Driven,” and the first night, the speaker asked the question, “What drives you?  What compels you?”

I once asked a similar question of a missionary whom I met in Southeast Asia.  It was a place where the women were/are treated as second-class citizens.  They walk behind their men, eat at separate tables, and wear clothing that we would find excessive.  Yet, she continued to live among the people and share the Gospel message.  I asked, “How do you do this?”  Her answer was not what I expected.  She said, “You can’t love these people enough to do this.  You can only do it because you love God enough.” In other words, she was “driven” by the love of God to do hard things in hard places.

The question we must each ask ourselves is, “What drives me? What is compelling me to do what I do?”

That is a question that requires some thought, and the answer may change depending on your stage of life.  When I was practicing law, I was “driven” by the desire to represent my clients well and make a decent living.  When I became the Business Administrator at my Church, I was “driven” by the desire to handle the business affairs with integrity and ensure that the Church reduced risks while still pursuing the lost with boldness. 

Now that I’m retired, I am “driven” by the need to use the talents, abilities, and experiences that God has given me to share the Good News with others.  I firmly believe that God has prepared good works for me to do (Ephesians 2:10), and I desire to complete them according to His will and His timing.

I encourage you to pause in your daily routine and take some time to reflect on what drives you, considering your calling in Christ.  His love should be compelling each of us to serve Him, no matter what stage of life we are in.  The message is still the same.  Christ died so that we no longer live for ourselves but for Him (author’s paraphrase of II Corinthians 5:15).  What does that look like in your life? What should it look like?

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 NIV84).