September 27, 2005

  • The Purpose Driven Life
    Day Three
    Living On Purpose Is The Path To Peace


    VERSE TO REMEMBER
    Isaiah 44:2
    "You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you" (TEV)
    "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (ESV)


    QUESTION TO CONSIDER
    What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?


    Personally I am not sure. I do not feel like I am a driven person I tend to be more laid back and a free spirit type. There probably are driving forces in my life, but I am not a very discerning when it comes to being critical of my own life. If I had to say anything I think I am driven by me desire to finish whatever task I am tending to. At work or at home I get intense about the task at hand and all other things, people, and events become secondary to the task at hand. So I guess I am driven my accomplishments and achievement.


    While I may not be good at decoding my own inner thoughts and feelings I can tell you my conscious thoughts and desires. I want to be driven by my desire to be a living example to my family, friends, and neighbors of Christ's love. To use an old TV adage "I want to be like, Christ." Christ's love can be seen many ways for His love has many aspects and components. From self-sacrifice (dying on the cross) to service (washing the disciples feet) Christ should us what love looks like by His walk. What I need to do with a drive like this is to use it as a grid to filter out what I should and should not do, but the free spirit in me dislikes having to do this. It would rather live more randomly or spontaneous than planned and controlled. Regardless though I need to obey and live out the teachings of Eph 5:11 (MSG), "Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants." I can still enjoy being who I am but I need to be sure I do not allow my tendency to carelessness define what I do and how.