What’s Driving You?

Most of us excel at creating to-do lists, especially when that means listing areas that require self-improvement.

As we enter new calendar years, you may even choose a few “New Year’s resolutions.” We resolve to get healthy, learn a skill, live organized, or work harder at something that has fallen by the wayside.

We also craft similar lists when pursuing dreams, advancing careers, or beginning new seasons of marriage or parenting.

Goals are great! I struggle, though, because I don’t always have the healthiest motivators.

I pick goals by picking at myself.

I think about stuff I think I “should” do. I should exercise; I don’t like this part about my body. I should pray more; I ought to be a better Christian.

Past resolutions have always been about putting something else on my to-do list. Get better. Do better. Be better.

But I’ve been a believer for over thirty years, and God has never once talked to me that way.

Even when He corrects and directs me, it’s never “you should do this.” It’s always an invitation to a better way.

Sometimes I pressure myself into action through shame, guilt, regret, condemnation, or fear. But God never motivates us like that either. He doesn’t drive us like a divine taskmaster or stress us into something that looks more spiritual or successful. He beckons us. Pursues us with loving kindness to think again and choose differently as He offers us life more abundant.

Have you allowed unhealthy motivation to drive you too?

You can receive God’s kindness, and learn to address yourself in a new way.

Where you strive to achieve, God invites you to receive as only He can give.

Where you impose self-improvement, He invites you to partner with Him in His transformative work in your life.

God calls each of us to yield our hurry and hustle, and to place our hope in Him.

God invites you to rest.

Rest isn’t a call to laziness. It’s the opportunity to walk and work with God in His presence, at His pace, by His provision, and with His peace.

Are you ready to stop pushing yourself so hard and experience more of God and His goodness there with you? You can resolve to work and rest well.

Does a rest well resolution sound appealing but impractical (or impossible)? Tomorrow we’ll explore the practical reality of this invitation.