The Ruling Passion

 

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“We make it our goal to please him.” — 2 Corinthians 5:9 (NIV)

In the midst of life’s storms—whether you’re navigating the choppy waters of recovery, wrestling with a faith crisis, or stepping tentatively into the Christian faith for the first time—it’s easy to feel adrift. The questions swirl: What am I living for? Where do I find solid ground? For those seeking answers, there’s a beacon of hope in the words of the apostle Paul: a singular, soul-anchoring ambition to please God. This is the essence of “The Ruling Passion,” a devotional from Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest, and it offers a transformative path for anyone longing for sacred sobriety—a life of clarity, purpose, and spiritual wholeness.

Staying focused on the goal Paul sets in 2 Corinthians 5:9 is difficult work. It means holding ourselves, year in and year out, to the highest ideal: not the ideal of winning souls or establishing churches or ushering in revivals but the ideal of pleasing Jesus Christ. Failure in spiritual work isn’t caused by a lack of spiritual experience; it’s caused by a lack of effort to maintain the highest ideal. At least once a week, take stock before God and see if you are keeping your life up to the standard he has set. The standard must be your ruling passion, your master ambition. Paul is like a musician who cares nothing about the approval of his audience—so long as he catches the look of approval from his master. Follow a lesser ambition to its natural conclusion, and you will see why it is so necessary to live facing the Lord. Any ambition that is separated from the highest goal, even by the tiniest degree, may end in our disqualification. “Therefore,” Paul says, “I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:26–27). Paul was constantly watching himself, constantly keeping himself in line, lest he lose sight of the ideal. I have to learn to relate everything to the master ambition, maintaining it at all times. My worth to God in public is what I am in private. Is my master ambition to please him and be acceptable to him, or is it something less, no matter how noble?

Today's devotional is crafted for you: the weary soul in recovery from addiction, co-dependency, or compulsive behaviors; the new believer unsure of where to begin; or the person questioning their faith amidst doubt and disillusionment. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:9 as our cornerstone, with insights from Deuteronomy 30-31 and Mark 15:1-25, we’ll explore what it means to make pleasing God your ruling passion. Along the way, you’ll find reflective questions to ponder, practical steps to take, and a call to embrace community as a lifeline for growth. Let’s embark on this path together, discovering how this divine ambition can lead you to a life of sacred sobriety.

Introduction: Finding Your Anchor in the Storm

Life can feel like a relentless tempest when you’re battling addiction, wrestling with faith, or trying to piece together a new identity in Christ. The shame of relapse, the weight of doubt, or the uncertainty of unfamiliar beliefs can leave you grasping for something—anything—to hold onto. What if there’s a purpose so profound it can steady your soul through every trial? In The Ruling Passion, Oswald Chambers points us to 2 Corinthians 5:9, where Paul declares, “We make it our goal to please him.” This isn’t just a lofty ideal; it’s a lifeline—a ruling passion that can guide you through recovery, restore your faith, and redefine your existence.

For those in recovery, this ambition offers a higher calling beyond sobriety itself. For the new believer, it provides a clear focus amidst the complexity of faith. And for those in a faith crisis, it’s an invitation to return to the heart of what matters. Pleasing God isn’t about perfection; it’s about direction—a compass for the soul. In the pages ahead, we’ll unpack this calling, explore its challenges and supports, and equip you with tools to make it your own. Because in a world of shifting sands, there’s nothing more sacred than a soul aligned with its Creator.

Understanding the Scripture: A Foundation for Sacred Sobriety

To grasp the power of this ruling passion, let’s dive into the scriptures that illuminate it. Each passage—2 Corinthians 5:9, Deuteronomy 30-31, and Mark 15:1-25—offers a unique lens on what it means to live for God’s pleasure, especially in the context of recovery and faith struggles.

2 Corinthians 5:9: The Heart of the Ambition

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” (NIV)

Paul writes these words in the context of longing for eternity while living faithfully in the present. His ambition isn’t swayed by circumstances—life or death, comfort or hardship. For him, pleasing God is the steady pulse of his existence. The Greek word for “goal” here, philotimeomai, implies an eager, honor-bound striving. It’s not a passive wish but an active pursuit. Cross-reference this with 1 Corinthians 9:26-27, where Paul likens himself to an athlete disciplining his body to avoid disqualification. For you, this might mean resisting the pull of addiction or the despair of doubt, keeping your eyes fixed on God’s approval rather than the world’s applause.

Deuteronomy 30-31: Choosing Life Through Obedience

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, NIV)

As Moses prepares the Israelites to enter the Promised Land, he urges them to choose obedience to God—a choice that echoes into recovery and faith today. Addiction often feels like a cycle of death, but sobriety, rooted in pleasing God, is a choice for life. Deuteronomy 31:6 reinforces this with God’s promise: “Be strong and courageous… the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” For the recovering soul, this is a reminder that you’re not alone in your struggle. Pleasing God means trusting His presence, even when the path feels daunting.

Mark 15:1-25: The Ultimate Example of Pleasing God

“And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.” (Mark 15:33, ESV)

Jesus’ trial and crucifixion in Mark 15 reveal the cost and beauty of pleasing God. Facing betrayal, mockery, and unimaginable pain, Jesus obeys the Father’s will to the end. John 8:29 echoes this: “I always do what pleases him.” His sacrifice isn’t just our salvation; it’s our model. For those in recovery, Jesus’ endurance through suffering mirrors the daily battle against temptation. For those in a faith crisis, His unwavering trust challenges us to hold fast. Hebrews 12:2 ties this together: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross.” Pleasing God often requires sacrifice, but it leads to eternal joy.

Connecting the Dots

These scriptures weave a tapestry of purpose. Paul’s ambition, Israel’s choice, and Jesus’ obedience all point to one truth: pleasing God is the path to life—abundant, sober, and sacred. For you, this might mean choosing prayer over a drink, faith over fear, or community over isolation. Let’s explore what this looks like in practice.

The Ruling Passion: Pleasing God Above All

What does it mean to make pleasing God your ruling passion? It’s the master ambition that shapes every decision, the lens through which you view your life. Chambers warns that lesser goals—however noble, like winning souls or building ministries—can distract from this highest ideal. For Paul, it was a disciplined focus; for Jesus, it was a surrendered life. For you, it’s a lifeline to sacred sobriety.

Consider Paul’s tenacity in Philippians 3:13-14: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.” Imagine a recovering addict who, instead of dwelling on past failures, fixes their gaze on God’s pleasure—finding strength in His grace. Or a new believer who, overwhelmed by doctrine, simplifies their faith to this: “Does this honor God?” Real-life stories abound: a woman in AA who found purpose in serving others, her desire to please God replacing her craving for alcohol; a man in a faith crisis who rediscovered joy by aligning his life with God’s will.

This passion isn’t about earning salvation—it’s about living it. Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us we’re saved by grace, created for good works. Pleasing God flows from gratitude, not obligation, offering a steady anchor for turbulent times.

Challenges in Maintaining the Ruling Passion

Staying focused on pleasing God isn’t easy. Paul himself feared disqualification (1 Corinthians 9:27), and for those in recovery or faith struggles, the obstacles are real:

• Seeking Approval Elsewhere: The applause of friends or the escape of addiction can drown out God’s voice. Galatians 1:10 warns, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?”
• Immediate Gratification: Addictive behaviors promise quick relief, while pleasing God requires patience. James 1:2-4 encourages perseverance, promising maturity through trials.
• Unworthiness and Doubt: A faith crisis can whisper, “You’re not enough.” Yet Romans 8:1 declares, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Picture Sarah, a recovering co-dependent who constantly sought validation from others. When she shifted her focus to pleasing God, she faced resistance—old habits die hard. But through prayer and scripture, she found freedom. These challenges test your resolve, but they also refine it, drawing you closer to your ruling passion.

The Role of Community: Strength in Togetherness

Chambers cautions against isolation: “Beware of the idea that you have to develop a holy life alone.” For those in recovery or questioning faith, going it alone is a recipe for relapse or despair. Community is God’s design for growth.

Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.” A support group, church, or mentor offers accountability, encouragement, and a mirror to reflect your progress. Imagine a recovering alcoholic finding strength in a faith-based meeting, or a new believer gaining clarity through a Bible study. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 promises, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls, one can help the other up.”

Community doesn’t contradict your instincts—it refines them. God alters your desire for connection, turning it toward His people. For sacred sobriety, this is non-negotiable.

Practical Steps: Cultivating Your Ruling Passion

How do you make pleasing God your daily reality? Here are actionable steps tailored for your journey:

1. Daily Prayer: Start each day asking, “Lord, how can I please You today?” Use Psalm 19:14 as a guide: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight.”
2. Scripture Meditation: Reflect on verses like Colossians 3:17—“Whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Journal what they reveal about God’s will.
3. Self-Examination: Weekly, assess your focus. Are you chasing lesser ambitions? 2 Corinthians 13:5 advises, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.”
4. Service: Pleasing God often means serving others. Volunteer, help a friend, or share your story—see Matthew 25:40.
5. Community Engagement: Join a recovery group or church. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Try this: each morning, read a verse, pray for guidance, and take one step to bless someone. Small acts build a life aligned with God.

Reflective Questions: Soul-Searching for Growth

Pause and ponder these questions. Journal your thoughts or discuss them with a trusted friend:

• What’s my current ruling passion? Does it align with pleasing God?
• How have addiction, co-dependency, or doubt pulled me from this goal?
• Where do I feel isolated, and how can community draw me closer to God?
• What’s one choice I can make today to please Him?

These questions aren’t meant to judge but to guide, helping you uncover where your heart lies and how to redirect it.

Key Insights and Takeaways

Here’s what to carry forward:

• Purpose Over Chaos: Pleasing God gives direction to the recovering soul and the questioning heart, a sacred sobriety rooted in divine love.
• Strength in Struggle: Challenges refine your focus, not derail it. God’s grace sustains you (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• Community as Lifeline: You’re not meant to walk alone. Fellowship fuels your ruling passion.

This isn’t a destination but a journey—a daily choice to live for God’s pleasure, finding wholeness along the way.

Call to Action: Stepping Forward in Faith

Your path to sacred sobriety starts now. Commit to these steps:

• Pray Daily: Begin with 2 Corinthians 5:9, asking God to shape your ambitions.
• Connect: Join a church, recovery group, or find a mentor this week.
• Act: Serve someone—share your story or lend a hand—pleasing God through love.

You’re not alone. God sees your efforts, and as Psalm 147:3 promises, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Step forward, eyes on Him, and discover the soul-deep sobriety that comes from living for His pleasure. Your ruling passion awaits.