What would my family and friends say is the driving force in my life? What do I want it to be?
This question is one that is sometimes very difficult to answer, because I know that many times the answer, if I am completely honest, is not the answer I would like to give.
The first part of today’s reading looks like a crash course in psychology.
I remember my mother, who is a social worker who specialises in counselling people in depression using cognitive therapy, and what she told me. What she did came down to looking at faulty thinking patterns. All of the things mentioned in the first half of the reading strike home as the very things which people who have depression have fallen into the trap of believing. Believing that those other things mean everything.
Guilt, resentment and anger, fear, materialism and need for approval. Jesus dealt with all these things and taught about them. The story about the man who wouldn’t give up his possessions to follow him, materialism. He often said to his disciples, “Fear not.” Forgiveness frees you from the grips of resentment and anger.
The complaints of Isaiah touch very close to home, as I have been there before.
The life driven by God, is one that is focused on the most important thing. That is God.
Knowing your purpose will give meaning to, simplify, focus and motivate your life and prepare you for eternity. Now if that’s not a good pitch for serving God, I don’t what is. But seriously, all these things are promised by God, and what a great hope for our lives.
And to end…
“You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and their trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (TEV)