#soap # Ezekiel 27 ## Title: Where Are Your Influences Taking You? ## Scripture: (Ezekiel 27:26) “Your rowers have brought you into surging waters. The east wind has wrecked you in the heart of the seas.” (NET) ## Observation: In this passage, Ezekiel is speaking judgment on the people of Tyre and is saying that their “oarsmen” are taking them right into a storm. Oarsmen are those who row the ship and provide the forward thrust. What is pushing you forward in your life right now? Is it the desire to be noticed? Is it striving to achieve? Is it fear of the unknown? Are you running from something? These are all destructive reasons to move forward. We must always be careful and watch over what motivates us. Instead, we should be motivated by the goodness of God. We should run forward because we know the Lord is with us. He has a plan for our lives. We are not striving to prove ourselves, but running to embrace all He has for us. Motivation makes all the difference in the world. It is the difference between running from something and running toward something. Be careful to check your motivations often. ## Application: Ask yourself, “Why do I do what I do?” Make sure the foundation of your desires is to know God more and make Him known. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for being more than enough for us.