From Driven… to Dragged… to Driving By Sharnece Powell-Cummings

From Driven… to Dragged… to Driving

By Sharnece Powell-Cummings

There was a time when I didn’t know God for myself.

I knew of Him… but I didn’t know Him.

During that time, my grandmother Tut, my mom Carolyn, and other family members had to get me to church however they could. At first, I was driven. Then I was dragged.

Now… I’m driving.

Driven

Driven individuals are disciplined. Focused. Intentional.

But at that time… it wasn’t me.

It was my family.

I was young, carefree, and honestly, if it were up to me, I probably wouldn’t have known anything about church. But they made sure I was there. They prayed for me. They trained me. They taught me how to carry myself in church.

I sang in the youth choir and mass choir because my mom was the director… and I loved to sing. But even though I was around God… I didn’t know Him for myself.

Looking back now, I understand what Proverbs 22:6 means when it says,

“Train up a child in the way he should go…”

They were planting seeds I didn’t even realize were growing.

Pause and Reflect

Some of you were raised the same way.

You were brought to church.

You heard the Word.

You were surrounded by people who knew God.

But the real question is…

Do you know Him for yourself… or are you still living off someone else’s relationship?

Dragged

Then came my teenage years.

And like many teenagers… I started “smelling myself.”

I didn’t want to be at church. I wanted to be outside, playing sports, doing anything but sitting in church all day long. And coming from an old-school family… when I say all day, I mean ALL day.

Sunday school. Morning service. Programs. Choir rehearsal. Bible study. Vacation Bible School. If the church doors were open… we were there.

And if you knew my grandmother Tut… you knew she didn’t play.

At that time, I was going… but I wasn’t growing.

I was baptized, but I hadn’t fully accepted Christ into my life. I was still living off my grandmother’s prayers… even into adulthood, with my own family.

And the truth is…

being present doesn’t mean you’re connected.

Pause and Reflect

Have you ever been in the room… but not really in it?

Showing up… but not surrendering?

Listening… but not applying?

It’s possible to sit in church for years… and still not experience transformation.

Driving

Then something changed.

I didn’t just go to church anymore… I wanted God.

I got to know Him for myself.

Now I’m not being driven. I’m not being dragged.

Now… I’m driving.

I’m going because I don’t want to miss out. I’m going because I understand what it took to get me here. I’m going because now it means something.

And just like my family did for me…

I’m bringing my family with me.

I’m bringing my friends with me.

Because when you really encounter God…

you don’t keep it to yourself.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:13,

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

And that’s the difference.

Not being forced.

Not just showing up.

But seeking Him.

A Challenge for You

Be honest with yourself:

- Are you being driven by someone else’s faith?

- Are you being dragged, showing up out of obligation?

- Or are you driving, choosing God for yourself?

Because there comes a point where you can’t keep borrowing belief.

You have to build your own.

Take This With You

Faith isn’t inherited… it’s developed.

Proximity to God is not the same as relationship with God.

And eventually… you have to make a choice.

Closing Prayer

Father God, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You continue to bless us. Draw us closer to You, Lord. Remove anything that is hindering us. Shape us and mold us into who You’ve called us to be.

Help us not just to be around You… but to truly know You.

Thank You for everything You’ve done in our lives.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.