Finally, Don't be Driven

I sometimes wonder if the people around me get tired of hearing "So I am reading this book." But I truly believe that reading is an invaluable asset. As I wandered into the office/den/cave at home, my son looked up from his cartoon intoxication and asked why we had so many books. He, like my daughter, is a pretty avid reader. Although he is more into video games than anything. Anyway, it is a common theme. I read way less than a lot of my friends and colleagues, but I just finished reading "Youth Ministry 3.0 - A Manifesto of where we've been, where we are and where we need to go." It is a somewhat unlikely read for me, in that it is a youth ministry specific book and one of a select few I have read. I found it really challenging as it talked about the authors perspective on where we have been and currently are in youth ministry. The emergence of an adolescent culture is a recent phenomenon, in the last century, and all indications are that the period of time attributed to this "transitionary" phase of life is increasing. All of this was interesting and challenged me, but it was when I got to one of the last sections that I found my most significant and intensely personal lessons. It was entitled "Finally, Don't be Driven." I would like to quote some of this small, yet impactful section because it meant so much to me. Here is what it said:

I'm a big fan of passion - both the concept and the experience. I've probably chosen passion as a speaking theme to both teenagers and adults more than any other subject over the last 10 years. I believe that Jesus' promise in John 10:10 - I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full - is one of the most inspiring and wonderful verses in all of Scripture.
But I've come to believe there's a difference between passion and being driven. Passion calls to us; being driven coerces us. Passion seduces us; being driven guilt's us. Passion is invitational; being driven is prescriptive. Passion is inquisitive; being driven is punitive. Passion is full of emotion; being driven is cold and calculating.

And youth workers who embrace a Youth Ministry 3.0 mindset and approach will stop being driven by job descriptions, measurements, buildings, time demands, and Messiah complexes. Instead, we'll slow down enough, deconstruct enough, to be fully present.

First, present to Jesus Christ's activity in our own lives. The nourishment of the soul must become priority number one for youth workers in this new epoch. We simply must stop giving lip service to this while imitating the Road Runner of cartoon fame. (Beep-beep!)

This really spoke to me, especially the imagery of the Road Runner. I am running at break neck speed because I am driven. I am not passionately following - well, maybe sometimes - but mostly I fall into this intensely driven pattern. I resonated with every example of being driven and I longed for every aspect of the passion side. I read these words this morning after making one of those shockingly honest confessions to my wife last night about how my drive and ambition were dragging me down. God certainly knew what I needed to read this morning as I opened my Bible to continue my reading of Mark. In Mark 12, Jesus talks about the greatest commandment - Love God, Love people. Love requires passion. I think theses words are incredibly timely and not just limited to the topic of youth ministry. I want to have my priority number one be to grow in my passion and love of God and His people. Not my driven, cold and calculating schemes. This was an excellent reminder at a critical juncture for me.