Drive.

Suppose you want to do something truly great in life: let’s say completely end global homelessness. This would be a massive undertaking. It wouldn’t be easy, and it certainly wouldn’t be swift. You’d need time to plan and strategize. You’d need resources, support, and a whole lot of buy-in. 

But, above and before anything, what you’d really need is 

DRIVE.

You’d need some good old-fashioned drive to see this momentous feat come to pass: zeal to push it forward, grit to stay the course no matter what may come, a fire deep in your belly that won’t let you give up this dream even if you want to. 

This is the raw power of drive.

If approached correctly, it can be harnessed and aimed toward good. It can be channeled into helpful, beautiful, and wonderful things. In fact, everything good in our world is a product of driven people working hard to see these wonderful ideas come to be.

In Colossians chapter 3, Paul exhorts us to be driven in our work. He says whatever we do, we should do it with all our heart. In other words, with passion and drive. Christians should be the most ambitious and driven workers on the planet, doing whatever work we’re called to for the Lord.

Drive can also have a shadowy side. If left unchecked, drive cunningly morphs into 

OVERDRIVE. 

In a world that says more is better, we are conned into biting off more than we could ever chew. We say yes to everything. We can’t let go of low-value tasks, and we keep running with every ounce of strength toward an ever-elusive version of success that ultimately leaves us tired, anxious, and irritable. 

The trick is to recognize the difference between drive and overdrive. Of course, this is not as easy as it sounds. Often, we are blind to the dark side of overdrive because we are so committed to its more honorable counterpart. 

We need to take time to assess our motivations and to-do lists. And, we should not do this alone. Invite others into this process. Let them give you perspectives you may be lacking. Then, call out the demons of overdrive in your life and put them to death.

White Space Moment

Reflect on Paul’s exhortation in Colossians 3:23–24.

How does this text speak to you about your work?

How can you demonstrate godly drive in your work?