What drives us?

When I first became a Christian (28 years ago) I wrote this note in the front of my Bible. "A time of fresh enthusiasm and great joy for a new Christian. God has walked with us in the person of Jesus. He died for us when all we deserved was judgement. Christ's death and resurrection brings us into God's family, if by faith we respond to his love."

With God's help my initial enthusiasm and passion as a follower of Jesus has not diminished with the passing of time. It is just the opposite! My relationship with Him has become closer and stronger as each year goes by. This is what drives my life! I am so grateful for my God-connected, God-directed, and God-injected life. His loving sacrifice and forgiveness is what gives me a jump-start every day.

He gave to us, so we can give.
He died for us, so we can live.
He rose again, so He could send
His Spirit for our hearts to mend.
Where He leads us, we bravely go.
With Him in us, we fear no foe.

In 2 Chronicles, Chapter 12 - King Rehoboam initially lives a life driven by God. But as he becomes stronger he gradually becomes more self-confident and self-directed. This results in the rejection of the "Law of the Lord" by Rehoboam and all of Israel with him. The prophet Shemaiah warns the King of impending disaster at the hands of Shishak the king of Egypt because they have forsaken God. Fortunately, Rehoboam and the people humble themselves before God and the Lord prevents their total destruction.

The Church at Laodicea, in Revelation Chapter 3, was no longer driven by their passion for God. They were lukewarm. They were neither hot nor cold and Jesus says He will spit them out of His mouth if they do not repent. The things of this world were driving their lives: they were focused on money, clothing, and shameful living caused by spiritual blindess. He offers to help. He stands at their door and knocks. Did they open the door?

In Haggai Chapter 1, Judah was self-driven rather than God-driven. They were enjoying life in their paneled houses while the "House of God" lay in ruins. Their selfish lack of interest in rebuilding the temple had brought even more hardship upon them. God, through His prophet Haggai, stirred up the hearts of Judah toward obedience and rebuilding God's House.

In Chapter 2 of John's Gospel we see that the life of God-the-Son (Jesus) is driven by passion for God-the-Father. He demonstrates his zeal for the Father when he chases the money-changers out of the temple courtyard. They were defiling God's House by converting it into a place for making money rather then a house of prayer and worship. Jesus says to them, "How dare you turn my Father's house into a market?" His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me"