Drive: The X Factor

Introduction: 

Welcome my friend, 

It does feel good to be back here in your presence as we choose to share this time on another Friday.

Since that first one, we've continued to show up weekly to strengthen this bond established by reading these words, and nurtured by the understanding of them. 

Truly, that has allowed us to be good influences on each other, inspiring ourselves to keep up the inner work required to become better individuals. First for ourselves, then our loved ones, who for their love, deserve the best of us.

Thank you for being in my life my friend, you can't imagine the moral support and upliftment you bring. 

Discussion: 

The word drive as we'd be looking at it today refers to the reason, motivation or intent behind our decisions, actions and lifestyle. 

Put in another way, it represents the factors that determine our sense of judgement as it concerns right and wrong, urgent and trivial, even to how we prioritize our needs. 

What this means is that when faced with the same situation, different people can respond in contrasting ways simply because they're not driven by the same things. 

Thus, making this conversation particularly important as we look to understand what these driving factors are, and the various destinations they each lead us to. 

■ Categorizing Our Drive 

If we set the alarm to wake us up at a specific time to work, it's because we're driven by results or the fear of the consequences of not meeting our target. 

If we rush out to pick an item before it's out of stock, it's because we don't want to miss out. 

One way or the other the motive behind our actions will show in our execution of it which means it'll determine the process used and the eventual outcome. 

When we're driven by fear, we live on the edge terrified of even life itself. 

Here, we play it safe taking no risks because we're too scared to fail or even too proud to try, “I could have hit a 10 if I shot that” yet the whole time never participating. 

For those of us driven by money and other material things, we have no problems betraying a friend for cash or sabotaging genuine love because it doesn't bear tangible gifts. 

Meanwhile, quality time, listening ears and the presence of folks who are attentive to us even while dealing with their own issues are such priceless gifts born out of sacrifice. 

Then there's the drive for power, which causes men to resort to violence, blackmail, and other smear campaigns just to usurp another. These are folks who just want to be at the helm of affairs, even when they lack the competence to meet the responsibilities that come with it. 

What about when we're driven by lust? 

Ignoring the consequences of casual sex for a few minutes of pleasure which can have lasting effects on our lives.

There's still space on our list for those driven by pain. When we go about our daily business with anger and malice we bear a burden that weighs us down long after the event has ended and those that hurt us have moved on.

To forgive, is to set our hearts free of the thirst of vengeance. 

■ When A Good Drive Goes Bad 

To be driven by a desire for goals and accomplishments is good because it means we're able to do more, achieve more and demand more of ourselves. 

However, when this begins to get in the way of other of our responsibilities including family and relationships, it becomes a problem. 

Quite often for high achievers, balance is a word that exists only in their wishlist having become used to targeting and smashing one milestone after another, having no sense of enough. 

When parents prioritize their businesses and careers over being there in their kids' lives, they create a bad outcome from what is a good drive. 

It's the same when we throw in another gift to apologize to our partner for missing out on another one of their big days. 

Another example is a situation where parents in their quest to see their child fulfill a specific dream (especially those they failed at achieving by themselves) push them into life paths that aren't in alignment with their purpose. 

When a parent's drive to see their children excel stifles the child's own abilities and self expression, it becomes counterproductive. 

This is why we're advised to keep in mind the difference between guidance and control. 

■ What It Means To Be Driven By Faith 

As willing servants of the master we're neither driven by emotions nor logic but by faith. 

We're obedient and trusting of God in all seasons even when the circumstances around us suggest otherwise because we understand his faithfulness. 

For us, tough challenges are our reminder that for miracles to happen there'll always be an arising adversity to create the opportunity for it. 

Faith rises above fear because we're confident in the perfect outcome experienced from following his perfect plan for us. 

■ What Dives The Master 

God's provision, care, protection and sometimes harsh discipline is motivated by his love for us. 

To expect to have it our way every time we pray is a poor assumption that he's an irresponsible father that gives his children everything they want, even if it's harmful to them (because he's scared of their rejection).

As we continue to grow in our relationship with him we learn to remain joyful in all situations having received the blessing of his deep wisdom and understanding. 

In this, we're able to see his hands of love and guidance in most of our “disappointments”. 

Summary: 

A man driven by self may achieve success but a man driven by his purpose finds true fulfillment, which is the satisfaction that comes from living for others. 

As long as the driving force of our lives is our willingness to obey the master and follow his lead, we remain aligned to the ultimate goal of our walk here; which is to prepare us for hereafter, when this soul shall rise out of the flesh to enjoy eternity with God. 

Master Apprentice.

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