What drives your life

Today's entry comes from Chapter three of purpose driven life by Rick Warren. AS well as Rachel Olson's Book "It is no secret " chapter 5.  And it focuses on the question what drives your life. 
They give 5 common ones  which are -

1 Guilt – are manipulated by memories often unconsciously punish themselves sabotaging themselves

2 Resentment and anger- hold onto hurts and never let go of them

3 Fear – may be a result of traumatic experience- missing out because they are afraid of venturing out.

4 Materialism – A desire to acquire becomes whole goal of their lives. This was/ is me

5 Need for approval- Driven by peer pressure always worried by what others think. I'm still doing this.

Looking over this list I can definitely see areas in my past where every one of these fit. And  there are times these areas and the things that were done or thought were not pretty.  For that reason I am so glad my Father has forgiven me for my past and those things do not define me.  

I am able to relate to all of these because they have been apart of my life since I was a kid. Guilt of not protecting myself when I was hurt. Which led to resentment and anger for those who hurt me and those who did not believe me, fear of venturing out because of issues with my body- which I'm now working out and getting rid of. Which led to acquiring material things because I thought I could protect stuff better then I did me. Which turned me very materialistic. But as Jesus has said in (Matt 6:19) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” 

So faced with this verse from Jesus, I had to look at myself and my life and reevaluate my life and what I had in it. As well as  ask myself "self, what value do you put on those things you have? Is your life driven by the things you collect or by serving God? " Ouch came the sting as I answered that question.


And this next part is so cool because its from Rachel Olsen's teaching  from it's no secret chapter 5  Have eyes bigger then your stomach.  
( and truthfully I didnt connect the two til just now). I love how God brings things in alignment.  As I reflected from this chapter and that question - my eyes WERE  bigger then my stomach ( or pocketbook in this case).

So my  Connecting to the soul question  which is actually a two part question- "Am I driven by how much stuff I can get and possess, or is my purpose in life driven by serving God and doing his will? If there is stuff that can go, where can it go?

 

Coming soon  INS ch 6  entitled " In stormy seas"