Day 3. What Drives Your Life?

Day 3. What Drives Your LIfe?

In his book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey states that we all have the ability to choose. Between stimulus, what goads us whether it be suffering or passion, and our response, how we act, there is an instant of awareness that allows us to choose. It is our response-ability to choose wisely.

Covey cites Victor Frankl, Austrian psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, who said that the one thing that his persecutors could never take away from him was his ability to choose. They may be able to take away his liberty, but because he could choose, they could never take away his freedom. And those who had a reason to live, who could for example project themselves as standing again in front of a class of students, can choose responsibly. And Frankl says that choosing responsibly is what gives us meaning. Frankl says “resonsibleness is the very essence of human existence.” (pg 114, Man’s Search for Meaning.)

Warren would say that it is our purpose that shapes our response. Whether our stimulus is guilt or fear or anger or lack of security or peer pressure, we can be aware that our purpose rests with God and therefore act responsibly. And that, Warren says, gives us peace.

John, in his little letter of love, says “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18a, NRSV) When we find our purpose in God, we can act responsibly to God without fear. And of course, Paul told us “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7 NRSV)

“Living on purpose is the path to peace.”

Rick