Desires Come in Four Flavors (now serving 2 of 4 flavors)

February 3, 2010

Last week we learned about material desires (see article here)

This week we are going to discuss Desires of Achievement.

There have been few people in history more motivated by achievement than the apostle Paul. You think your pre-k kid was wired up all the time, Paul was constantly moving, teaching, building, and motivating. He described his life with metaphors such as “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race.” God didn’t take away Paul’s desire to achieve; rather he harnessed it so that Paul could serve others.

We all have desires to achieve things, because God created us to have dominion. You don’t think Adam felt great after naming the last animal? It’s a good thing to want to achieve.

Maybe you have a strong drive in your career. Maybe you are highly motivated by an opportunity to learn. Maybe you just love to accomplish. If your achievement desires are leading you to workaholism, to worshiping status, to neglecting time for prayer, or you’re using people in the process – then slow down buddy, your work needs redirection. But if that’s not the case – if you find yourself growing in God and there’s an inner fire inside you to achieve – go forth and achieve!

Use your ability and circumstances to achieve good for others. And when you are doing it – when you are contributing to a meeting, adding value to a team, or formulating ideas – you will know it is more than just you. As you have relational skills that enable you to bond with clients, you can simultaneously pray for them. Every now and then stop and thank God that you get to do your job, what you’re good at, for as you achieve and feel joy in doing so, you are opening up yourself to be used by His Spirit.

Zach