Not driven --- led!

Vicki Gaines doesn't buy the popular idea of expecting God's blessing for really following our hearts:

. . . bookstores are filled with purpose-driven messages on living the life of our dreams. Do what you love and God will bless it. I don't believe that. The word "driven" itself carries red-flag connotations. As a Christian writer, my spirit seeks to be led by Jesus Christ, never driven by anything, especially not my own ideas or dreams. In a world of sensual spirituality, it's easy to be led astray with smooth sounding words. We need firm grounding in biblical truth to spot subtle errors found in many teachings (and quotes) today. Perhaps I digress, but none of this "find your purpose" dribble enables me. Inspirational thoughts are just that, inspirational. There's no power in them.

Too true. What should we be seeking, then?

. . . in my 49 years, I've failed enough to learn that my ways are not His ways. I've been fooled by well-meaning writers who invite us to explore our destiny. There is no purpose or destiny outside the life of Jesus Christ. We can't have life unless we have HIM. . . . So I'd rather cling to Jesus than all the motivational quotes in the world. I'm starting to see how power and enablement come, not through grand human effort, but by His Spirit. I want to work in tandem with His purposes, fueled by His Holy Spirit, but I need to be willing to pull away when all the world beckons. It also means giving up my dreams, my goals, my ambitions. It's a paradox. And it's a hard word: surrender. But in surrendering my agenda, I find His.

Amen (HT: Gratitude & Hoopla).