Driven

Driven

Acts 19: ²¹ After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” ²² He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.

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Wanting to be better, I took class after class after class. I read about areas where I felt I was deficient. When I felt I was ready, I mustered up the confidence to ask for certain positions that allowed me to rise to higher levels. I did what it took to make things happen.

• There were times when I worked extremely hard to achieve “my” goal.
• There were times when I studied hard to fully understand how to reach “my” goal.
• There were times when I felt I just had to do something to satisfy “my” goal.

Paul traveled all over, spreading the gospel of JESUS. He felt led to also go to Rome. He knew this was going to be a very difficult place so he prepared himself and sent two of his younger helpers away to another location. He was driven to speak the truth about JESUS.

• GOD wants me to be ready to speak about JESUS at a moment’s notice.
• GOD wants me to be brave enough to speak about JESUS, not just imply HIM.
• GOD wants me to be prepared to speak about my relationship with JESUS as often as I can.

When JESUS placed the HOLY SPIRIT inside me, HE did not mean for me to remain silent and hide what HE did for me. HE wants me to speak about HIM, pray with people and show silent examples. Life is all about JESUS. I am grateful HE leads me and allows to speak about HIM.

• What are you trying to accomplish?
• Do you think your accomplishment will make you “better?”
• Will you add telling someone about JESUS to your purpose in life today?

Driven Achievement

Luke 18: ¹⁸ A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

¹⁹ ‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good – except God alone. ²⁰ You know the commandments: “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.”’

²¹ ‘All these I have kept since I was a boy,’ he said.

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“How do I become successful?” I asked a mentor, thinking he would impart some great words of wisdom. “Be early to every meeting” were the only words given to me. “What? This is a lesson on punctuality!?” I skeptically tried the suggestion and I found out he was right.

• There were times when I wanted to succeed.
• There were times when I wanted to get ahead.
• There were times when I desired to climb to the top.

JESUS is met by a rich man who may have been driven by achievements. The rich man used flattering words to put people at ease and called JESUS “good.” JESUS quickly sees through the flattery and says “Good is reserved only for GOD.” This confuses the achievement driven person.

• GOD says to me “I AM GOD alone.”
• GOD says to me “Your righteousness is like soiled diapers.”
• GOD says to me “Humble yourself. The first will be last and the last shall be first.”

GOD is a relationship, not an achievement. HE wants me to want to do the things HE says, not muscle through a set of rules that are sometime quite impossible to keep. GOD knows I need HIM and HE has given me grace beyond measure.

HE also knows that if I base our relationship on how “good” I think I am, I will set HIM up for failure. I can never be good enough to demand GOD to bow down to my desires. HE simply wants to know me and have me seek HIM as my GOD. I am glad I do not have to achieve HIM. HE is always with me.

• Do you look at GOD like HE wants you to “achieve” HIM?
• Are you exhausted thinking HE doesn’t love you because of some sin you recently did?
• Can you stop thinking of GOD negatively and simply have a loving relationship with HIM?

Life of Comfort

Jeremiah 52: ¹² On the tenth day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard, who served the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. ¹³ He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. ¹⁴ The whole Babylonian army, under the commander of the imperial guard, broke down all the walls around Jerusalem.

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Sitting in my cabana, I prepared for the day’s events which included sightseeing, lunch, a massage, dinner and then dancing. Yes, this day was truly trying! On that day one of the top executives walked up to me and said he would like me to take a spot on his executive team. I was delighted! “Could this day go any better?” I thought to myself.

• In times of plenty, I have forgotten GOD.
• In times of abundance, I look at my achievements as “mine.”
• In times of great wealth, I thought I was secure.

“What a bright future” I said at that time, but little did I know my demise was on its way. The same people who raised me up forgot me when the reorganization came years later. A new guard came in and broke down the walls and many were carried off into the ranks of the unemployed. Like the king of Babylon, the new guard was unforgiving and onerous. BUT GOD had a plan for that too.

• GOD had to remove the blindness of my wealth to see I am secure in HIM.
• GOD had to remove my false security in titles to see I need humility in HIM.
• GOD had to remove my desire to be wealthy and serve the wealthy in order to see hurting people who need to be served.

Not once did I jump around and praise GOD during my island moment. Well, maybe a little, but my mind quickly raced off into how I was going to lead another large corporation. I did not think of who was poor or needy. I did not think of how I was going to use the extra money to help others. I think I tithed, but it was easy to do. GOD made it very clear to me that the earth is HIS and everything on it.

Every step I take is on HIS earth, not mine. The air I breathe is HIS and every penny as well. Every moment I exist should be given to GOD. I cannot say I give every minute to HIM, but the more I do the more I am blessed.

• Are you seeking a life of comfort?
• Do you constantly look forward to a vacation?
• Can you factor in time to worship GOD?
• Will you praise HIM for where you are right now no matter what the circumstance?

Humble Is Great Medicine

1 Chronicles 12: ¹² Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.

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Desiring a promotion, I observed how “those on the move” would talk. They would take credit for other folks work and brag about themselves. I thought, “Let me try that.” “I” did this and “I” did that was added to my speech. I wish I could remember who said this to me but someone looked at me disappointed and said “I thought you were different.”

• When I am insecure I point to myself to get praise.
• When I want status I point to myself to get noticed.
• When I desire accolades I ask people to tell me how great I’m doing to grow my ego.

One problem with pointing at me is it takes the eyes off of GOD. Many people begin looking at me and even marveling at my title, status and stuff, meanwhile they are distracted from who really is providing the blessings.

• GOD wants me to humble myself in order to point people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to lower how I think of myself in a healthy way.
• GOD wants me to consider HIS strength in all my plans so that I can never brag or boast.

GOD doesn’t want me to take credit for any accomplishment I have achieved. In fact I am truly supposed to give HIM praise for everything I have. Humbling myself also means I do not “deserve” any blessing I get. I don’t deserve great service but should be thankful when I get it.

Humbleness adds a level of gratitude that enables GOD’s blessings to flow.

• Are you demanding?
• Do you think you “deserve” to be treated better?
• Can you humble yourself and open your eyes to the blessings GOD is pouring out on you already?

In memory of Willie Edwards

Being Excited About GOD

2 Kings 10: ³⁰ The Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”

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I can’t point to any “cause and affect” to my success. In fact I really don’t see how I made it to where I made it. All I know is I remember a simple prayer… “LORD please make me successful.”  I didn’t know what “levels” meant to a company or what “corporate politics” meant to a career. I had no specific target or path to get there.

All I knew was... I had to change the mode in which I was operating and mature.

• When I was immature, I would instantly lie to cover myself.
• When I was immature, I would not take responsibility for my actions.
• When I was immature, I would not stand firm for what is right rather I would bend towards the crowd.

GOD wants me to “grow up.” Instead of blaming HIM for the ills of society or for the current situation, GOD wants me to admit I need HIM, ask for forgiveness and join HIM in HIS quest to bring people back to HIM. This WILL be against what the population believes.

• GOD wants me to follow HIM as much as I can.
• GOD wants me to trust HIM as much as I can.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIM as much as I can.

Note I said “as much as I can” because HE truly wants me to love HIM with ALL my heart, but my heart and every humans’ heart is poisoned with sin at birth, so this takes effort. GOD knows that my righteousness is sometimes pure and sometimes tainted with trying to get my sinful way. BUT GOD’s grace is sufficient and HIS SON’s death and resurrection is complete. This makes me excited!

• Are you filled with fear?
• Do you blame others for your woes?
• Can you begin by taking responsibility for your actions?
• Will you ask GOD to fill you up with HIS might today?

When my ambition supersedes GOD

Genesis 11: ³ They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. ⁴ Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

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“I can run this place” I thought to myself.  I mean if I work hard I will get promoted and they will put me on top. Well, that didn’t happen, but I did notice that when others were promoted, they executed a smear campaign to take the person on top down. Should I stoop to that kind of behavior?

• Sometimes my ambitions drive me to take over rather than achieve.
• Sometimes my ambitions lead me to be on top at any cost.
• Sometimes my ambitions make me say “I can do that better than that person.”

Ambitions can blind me at times.  I’m not saying having goals is a bad thing, but what I am saying is my goals need to include GOD as the direction I am headed.

• GOD needs to be first in my ambition otherwise I will complain that HE is in the awy.
• GOD needs to be the center of my attention otherwise I will sometimes think HE is a hindrance.
• GOD needs to be top of mind in my plans otherwise I will leave HIM out of my plans and go my own way.

Ambition has gotten me in trouble with GOD before.  My plans were not HIS plans, yet HE allowed me to go with my plans. When my plans failed, I came running back to GOD asking for help and sometimes it was too late. GOD wants to be first, not last when it comes to my desires.

• Are you driven to achieve?
• Are you trying to do whatever you are doing without GOD?
• Can you take a moment to add GOD to your plans?

Curiously walk right through the door

Revelation 3: ⁸ I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

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Trembling, I sat in the waiting area ready to meet the group of executives and reviewing my background in my mind. When they brought me in I felt at ease and we had a good conversation until they asked me “that” question. “How do you feel about downsizing half the staff here?” “Rotten” was the answer. Immediately I saw the door shut and that opportunity went away.

• Sometimes I build up expectations in my mind and I get slammed down to earth with reality.
• Sometimes I want something so bad only to find I can’t have it and I get disappointed.
• Sometimes I try for the prize only to realize my efforts weren't good enough.

Disappointment places a fork in the road for me. Either I am going to become “discouraged” which will lead to me not listening to GOD or I will choose to be “curious” which leads to life. Of course GOD wants me to choose the latter of the two.

• When I am curious about GOD I seek what HE is all about.
• When I am curious about GOD I look for HIS desires.
• When I am curious about GOD I search for HIS people, HIS ways, HIS situations no matter how much strength I have.

JESUS said “I am the door.” HE also said “What I open no one can shut and what I shut no one can open.” HE has opened the door for me so many times and all I had to do was walk through it. HE shuts the door on my evil desires and opens the door to a path that leads to life.

GOD knows me. HE knows what little strength I have and HE is pleased with my pitiful efforts to serve HIM. HE places the door in front of me and HE wants me to be curious enough to walk through it. My curiosity of HIM grows my faith.

• Have you already made up your mind that GOD can’t use you?
• Is your heart so filled with stone that you cannot follow HIM anymore?
• Are you still curious about HIS ways or do you think you know it all?
• Won’t you seek HIS new adventure or are you convinced you are at the end of the road?

My plans mean nothing without GOD

James 4: ¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

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“Business plan” check… “Service to sell” check… “Business Cards” check… “Tools” check… “Customers” a few so “CHECK!” As I halfheartedly proceeded in my first business venture I began with what I thought were the right components. With baby on the way and a very demanding job, I wanted to strike it out on my own to “be there” for the family so my intentions were honorable.

Weekends were now spent away from the family and with my band of one I had no time to grow my business plus my job was sending me out of town next week. The business failed before it got started. What went wrong?

• When I plan without GOD my plans are headed for failure.
• Even if I have reached a level of success that is recognized by many, if the achievement was without GOD my plans are headed for failure.
• When I look into the future and develop contingency plans to thwart catastrophe, without GOD my plans are headed for failure.

Now that I am in business again I recognize something very important, GOD has the ability and the right to say “NO” or “not at all” to my plans. I could have, what I think are the best intentions but when I have not accepted the fact that my plans may not be aligned with GOD’s plans then I am prone to pout “when” they fail.

• GOD has a plan for me that is complex, purposeful and perfect.
• GOD’s plan will always be done; my plan can be done more if aligned with GOD’s plan.
• GOD knows the future of my plan and its success hinges on my dependence on HIM.

Saying “if it is the LORD’s will” means I am willing to accept “NO” for an answer. I am not rolling over and dying and preparing for a crash and burn blamed on the LORD rather my eyes are wide open to the fact that GOD has all I own. I can’t protect my family, stuff or business. GOD owns it all and has a right to do with it as HE pleases.

• Do you believe your abilities came from you?
• Do you have plans for yourself, thinking you can control your situation?
• Won’t you start your next plan by asking GOD what HE wants to do?
• Can you stop bragging about “your” accomplishments and credit them to GOD?

LORD am I worthy to handle my desires?

2 Thessalonians 1: ¹¹ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. ¹² We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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When I heard the familiar tinkling of “Pop Goes the Weasel” or “Turkey in the Straw”, like a dog in a psych experiment, I wanted some ice cream from the truck even if dinner was minutes away.  When a pretty girl batted her eye at my wallet, like a showman’s puppet, I would fall for the possibility.

When a title or large responsibility would surface, I put on my Peacock feathers and paraded around hoping to be noticed. I would forsake my family and friends to move to the next level. In many cases my desires led to disappointment.

• When my desires are not coupled with GOD then I face disappointment.
• When my desires are focused only on what’s in it for me then I face failure.
• When my desires are targeted on the shiny new thing then I lose my peace if I don’t get it immediately.

My desires aren’t always aligned with GOD’s ways.  In fact many of my desires lead me on a path that is quite opposite of GOD.  I wonder if I am worthy to handle my desires.

• Since GOD knows my heart HE can develop situations where my desires are HIS desires.
• Since GOD knows my ways HE can orchestrate scenarios where my sinful desires fail and “good” desires grow fruit.
• Since GOD knows my mind HE can provide all that I need in spite of my worries, doubts and fears.

Yes, GOD knows my every thought and some of them are actually good! HE places wonderful desires in my mind to serve others, fight fear and most of all, to love HIM. When I ask HIM for stuff, I make the mistake of thinking I can handle that specific desire. I should ask HIM if I am ready for whatever my desire is and be willing to accept HIS answer.

• What do you desire?
• Are your desires aligned with GOD’s desires for you?
• Do you find yourself achieving your desires only to face consequence over and over?
• Can you ask GOD to guide your desires?

You are doing a great job!

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

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“When I become the boss I know just who I’m going to fire” I thought to myself, as I watched my peers and even some of the management team work. I loved tackling difficult tasks and felt there was no assignment too hard to accomplish but they thought differently.  They worked hard, but I worked harder. “Who needs them?” I thought to myself.

When budget time rolled around, my stretch goals were not funded because I had not included my peers. I guess I did need them.

• There are times when I label people wrong because I am looking at me.
• There are times I lack appreciation because my lofty goals get in the way of their actions.
• There are times that I have forgotten to say thank you because I am too focused on achieving the next thing.

There is nothing like hearing “Well done” when a person puts effort into an assignment. GOD wants me to take time to applaud efforts and recognize what people are doing.

• GOD wants me to acknowledge when others work hard even when they don’t work for me.
• GOD wants me to recognize the efforts of others instead of seeking accolades for my accomplishments.
• GOD wants me to praise others for the sole purpose of encouraging them and building them up.

“You are doing a wonderful job” is what I can say to really light the fire up under someone. My praise brings peace.

• Are you battling with people at work?
• Are you in the middle of some faction?
• Will you seek out a subordinate, peer or supervisor and let them know they are doing a great job?
• Can you praise someone today and point them to GOD?

I have a new goal

Colossians 2: ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

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Achievement was my staple as I won another award. When I surveyed the plaques, trophies and medals I had won I felt proud of where I had climbed. I was so proud of myself that I couldn’t get enough of hearing how well I was doing from others. I would set lofty goals and climb high to achieve them and wait for the applause. “I wonder if anyone is in pain” never crossed my mind.

• When I focus on self-achievement I can lose focus on others.
• When I focus on “me” getting ahead I can forget to serve people in pain.
• When I focus on gaining treasures on earth I can get caught up in lusts that derail me from seeing GOD.

Many times I sought power, position and payment as my goal of success. Once I achieved my goal, it never seemed like it was enough. My monetary goal had to become greater and I had to have a bigger title. This left little time for me to see who was hurting or in pain. BUT GOD saw them and wanted me to act different.

• GOD sees people in pain and wants me to open my eyes to them as well.
• GOD sees people who are discouraged and wants me to encourage them to believe in HIM.
• GOD sees people who are thrown away and wants me to show united love as an example of how much GOD loves all.

Many times I get so caught up in trying to get people to stop doing a certain sin that I never look at how much compassion GOD wants me to have on others.  I think I can solve their problems by making more money and fighting a cause so my goals are geared towards sin eradication and wealth. BUT GOD wants me to have new goals of encouragement, compassion and united love to draw those who really need HIM.

GOD wants me to point at HIS SON instead of pointing at me.

• What are you trying to achieve?
• Are you feeling discouraged that you have not achieved what you think you should have achieved?
• Won’t you set goals to be more compassionate for someone today?
• Can you take a moment to encourage someone today?

What prize are you seeking?

1 Corinthians 9: ²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

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Our church did a challenge where they put some extreme ideas on cards and placed them in a basket. Each person selected one and was supposed to pray about actually doing the thing that was on the card. I thought this was a way for the church to get me to do some sort of service so I accepted the challenge. I reached in and pulled my card and it said “Run a marathon.”

Now I’m training for a marathon. It takes hours of preparation and mental fortitude. I wonder if I should apply any of this to how I serve others.

• I work hard at “work” only to receive a little more money.
• I work hard at “play” to perfect my golf or bowling movements only to receive satisfaction.
• I work hard at “training” for the marathon and I only hope to finish the race.

I spend a lot of time working and scheduling relaxation time and doing many things in life that will only get me a prize that will “not last.” All the money I have earned, the house, clothes and cars I bought, and the trophies and knick knacks I have achieved will one day be thrown away.

I’m not saying not to strive for perfection nor am I saying that it’s not worth the effort to achieve things. I am saying GOD wants me to focus on HIM being the greatest prize that I can seek. I should seek HIM now, not later. Many times I put GOD on hold while I achieve what I set out to achieve. HE wants me to stop my busy schedule and make time for HIM.

• Do you seek GOD’s rewards more than you seek human awards?
• Are you busy trying to get the approval of humans rather than serving people the way GOD wants you to serve them?
• Won’t you serve a person who is thirsty, a cup of GOD’s water today?

Giving “it” to GOD requires open hands.

Luke 17: ³³ Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.

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Getting my way is something I have strived for over a number of years. A desire pops in my head and I get stuck on its merits, dreaming of better days if I got “that” thing. Sometimes achieving my desire isn’t all that it is cracked up to be.

• Upon achieving my goal of becoming the highest title in my industry I found schemes, hatred and pressure.
• When I made lots and lots of money I introduced to myself lots and lots of worries.
• The moment I got what I wanted, I suddenly had no time for GOD.

There is nothing wrong with hard work or achieving a title but I was trying to “become” the title instead of the title “becoming part of me.” My first and foremost service is supposed to be for GOD so I should point my desires in HIS direction.

• When I achieve my title I should ask GOD “what does HE want to do with it?”
• When I gain wealth I should ask GOD first “who do YOU want me to give my money to?”
• When I look for the new group or association to be involved with I should ask GOD “who do YOU want me to reach?”

Sometimes I really believe my life is “mine” and it really isn’t, it’s GOD’s. GOD has the right to do with my life as HE pleases.  HE can tear me down or raise me up or tear me down again as HE pleases.

While HE allows or even places difficult circumstances in my life, I should continue to ask HIM “how do YOU want me to serve YOU and who can I serve next?” GOD even owns my sin.  Yes HE is big enough and strong enough to handle the sin I so easily fall into. HE loved me so much that HE died for all of them. I owe my entire life to HIM because HE loved me first!

• What are you trying to hold on to?
• Can you open your hands and let go of every aspect of your life, even your sin?
• Will you ask GOD “what do YOU want to do with my life?”
• Do you want a full life?
• Are you willing to seek GOD to serve HIM and the humans HE directs your way?