What is the driving force in your life?

Landry Jones, quarterback for the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners, was asked that question. His answer was quick, “faith and football.”

Since Landry Jones stepped into the picture as quarterback when Sam Bradford was injured, he has started 27 games, won 22, including two bowls, and he has set seven Oklahoma University passing records. He still has this year to go.

Last year he threw 38 touchdown passes for over 4,700 yards. In their two biggest games last year – the Big 12 championship game and the Fiesta Bowl, Jones averaged 413 yards and accounted for nine TDs!

But football is not his main driving force – it is his faith. He says “I gave my life to Jesus Christ two or three years ago.” Since then he has become a relentless witness for Jesus Christ.

Last summer he and eight other Oklahoma football players were in Haiti serving on a Christian mission trip. They got word that a teammate, linebacker Austin Box, had died in an accidental death involving a mix of prescription painkillers and an anti-anxiety drug. While he was 2,000 miles away from home, Jones became the quiet spiritual leader for those fellow football players.

Landry Jones is for real. Head coach Bob Stoops says, “Players can’t fool players and as a coach, I can tell when a guy is real and when he isn’t. Landry Jones is for real.”

Landry Jones is not sure where his life will take him after Oklahoma (and professional football). He is sure he will wind up in some kind of ministry. It might be a pastor or a chaplain. But he says, “Whatever it is going to be it’s going to be the ministry that God calls me to. I am going to do it.”

John records how Jesus had an interesting encounter with a woman at a well. It had been a full day and the disciples knew that Jesus was hungry and asked if anyone had brought Him food. Jesus heard the conversation and shared the driving force in His life. He said, “My meat is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” (John 4:34 ASV)

Jesus was not driven by hunger, but by doing God’s will. He was not driven by physical needs, but by accomplishing God’s work and purpose for Him.

Landry Jones is high profile. His ministry will be on a big stage. God has given each of us a talent and a gift. I hope the driving force in our lives is our faith and utilization of our talent in fulfilling and accomplishing God’s purpose for each of us.

What drives you?