Are you driven or directed? A driven person is often seen as a “type A” personality, a hard charger. We picture a no-nonsense CEO, a demanding executive, a relentless high-performance salesman, or even a college student who considers anything less than perfect grades failure. Someone who pushes themselves to the limit, works a ridiculous number of hours, rarely takes time off, or rests. Unfortunately, this is often a correct assessment, and we wrongly conclude only this type of person can achieve prominent levels of success. Yes, maybe they reach high levels of success in the world’s eyes but at what cost?  Failing health and wellbeing, high levels of stress, depression, anxiety, struggling marriages and relationships?

There’s nothing wrong with hard work, striving for success, and reaching financial and professional milestones.  But ask yourself what does the end game look like? Is the purpose of life just promotions, possessions, prestige and a financial portfolio? What about influence, impact, leaving a legacy, and enjoying lasting relationships. Aren’t those just as much if not more important indicators of a successful life?

There is a difference between being driven and being directed. In James 4:13-15 we read, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you don’t know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” And in Galatians 5:25 we read, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

Here are some signs that you are driven rather than directed. If the first thing you do in the morning when you wake up is reach for your phone or laptop to check emails rather than seeking to spend time with the Lord in prayer, devotion, and looking to His Word to direct your steps and guide your day. –  That’s an indicator you are driven.  Do you work an inordinate number of hours, working well into the evening, and on weekends, always on 24/7 – Driven. Do you think to yourself rest, taking a day off and sleep is for losers and neglect both – You’re driven.  Do you miss meals with family, family events, recitals, your kid’s soccer games, birthday parties or special occasions – Driven. Do you rarely if ever take a family vacation or a special retreat with your wife, and if you do you take work with you? – Driven. If you rationalize, I’m living like this now so that in the future I’ll be able to settle down, take it easy and enjoy life. – face it your driven.

A directed life is one where life drives labor not labor drives life.  It’s one where you schedule your priorities rather than prioritizing your schedule.  A directed life is one lived with purpose and passion. A directed life is one where you build balance and times of rest into your life, able to enjoy and share with others the fruit of your labor.

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