What is it that drives you? ...

Monday, March 12, 2012. What drives you? What attracts you? What motivates you? Many of my days are filled by professional activities where I do not have much choice, they are just needed. Things are arising from my job and they need to be done.

Choices …

But there are days where I can make choices. Today is such a day, a free day in principle, though I have to take care of the kids when they come from school later. It is sunny, I am sitting in my home office currently, thinking about this topic of attraction. What is it, that attracts me?

Free days are sometimes free, but if you are responsible here and there, they might not be completely free. For example, there is a big pile of work which I could start to do. In fact, I would be motivated for quite a bit of this work - I like programming. I like writing scientific research papers. I like to communicate and send emails to people. But you probably know this type of situation: when you have to much to do, even if it is attractive, it is no longer fun.

What is it that attracts me most? What is driving me most? What is needed most? Perhaps my fears also play a role, the thought that I might miss something or that I should have done this or that? I do not do what attracts me most or what is needed most, but what I fear most I try to avoid (and do what helps to avoid it)?

God's view …

I am usually asking myself what God might think and how he will judge the situation. I do not claim that I get the point in every situation, but the New Testament tells us a lot about God and it also promises that when we sincerely ask him, we will lern and get insight. That fits my experiences. So what is God's view?

I have a dream of seeing him shaking his wise head, saying something like: my dear, you are busy with so many things, but only little is needed. I am reminded of the conflict between Marta and Mary as reported in Luke 10: 38, where Martha was quite active, but Jesus approved the contemplative way of Mary.

When ever I have asked him, like in this particular situation, I come back with a deeper sense of peace, with a better idea of what is truly important and how to manage the many needs of a busy day, to fill it with joy and a sustainable goal! That can lead us to the old song of praise: “Great is the Lord … ” (Roland Potthast) ... more texts