“Some people will not understand what the love of Christ compels you to do; do it anyway.” – Sheila Walsh

What compels you? What gets you out of bed in the morning. What makes you excited? What are you passionate about?

I think everyone has something that pushes them forward. The things that motivate them. Things like family, success, the encouragement (or criticism) of others, money, or power. Whatever it is, each of us has something that powers us, that gives us the strength to keep going.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that whatever motivates you is usually what steers your course. Think of a motorboat. A boat can shoot across the water at lightning speeds because of the engine-powered propeller at the back. But this propeller also determines what direction the boat will take. The source of power for the speedboat also determines its course.

The same can be said for us. Whatever we are motivated by tends to steers us. If you’re motivated by money, typically, your path will take you in the direction that leads to more and more financial gain forsaking everything else. All decisions that you make and steps you take are guided by your motivation for more money.

Many times, our motivations can lead us down a path of destruction. Being compelled by selfish things will quickly guide us off the course that God has laid for us.

Instead, we should listen to Paul’s directions to the Corinthians:

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

If what motivates us guides our steps, can you imagine where you would go if you are compelled by the love of Christ? With Christ’s love as your motivation and your purpose, Christ’s path would be your path and Christ’s passions would be your passions.

Being compelled by Christ means that we can die to ourselves and our desires so that God’s will can be done in our lives. With our motivation fixed on sharing Christ’s love, it is Christ who guides our every step.

With Christ’s love propelling you through the waters of life, you can be sure that lives will be changed, the Good News will be told, and God’s Kingdom will come.

Parents: Read your children this verse from 2 Corinthians. Explain to them that one’s motivation tends to guide their path.