What is the real underlying motive for all of the good stuff that you do?
That is the eye opening and heart searching question for Monday morning's Gathering At the Well! This will surely get your week started on a spiritual note won't it???!!
This is a topic, I am excited about and also approach with a little bit of apprehension. I am excited because God asks me this question many times, "Why are you doing this (singing in the choir, teaching a Sunday School class, speaking to this person, cooking this meal, giving this offering, sending this card, etc...?) Since these are all "good things" to do, why must God plunder to the depths of my heart intent? Because "why" you do things is more important that "what" you do. What is the motive behind the actions? Who is getting the glory from these things? What is the intended result?
Now, don't ask me how I know these answers... but sometimes the intent of doing good actions may be being seen, or thought of more highly and the emphasis is on "self". Our motives come from our heart, out of what is in our heart is where come our words, actions and attitudes. God should have first place in our hearts and consume it. But, "self" which is the "look at me, do you see me, I"m going to get what I want" thoughts can be pretty stubborn to move out of the way! It needs to be a daily practice, placing God first in our hearts and seeking His direction for each day. When we place God first, everything that is done is for His glory. He knows more than us, He sees more than us and if we yield to Him, He can bring good out of any situation. If we make our motive to glorify Him, He will connect opportunities to bless others through a variety of ways. He knows the person who needs a smile and kind word. He knows the child He will place in that Sunday School class, He knows the person whose heart will be cheered by a song, He knows where that offering will end up to meet a need that only He could meet.
Our motives can be guided by the Scripture found in Mark 12:30-31 "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment and the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
When we are filled with God's love, we will love others with that sacrificial love that puts the needs of others above our need for recognition.
A final "motive check' for any action is: "Will this be a true blessing or encouragement to others?" Also remember, it's all about Him, not us, will He get the glory?
That is the eye opening and heart searching question for Monday morning's Gathering At the Well! This will surely get your week started on a spiritual note won't it???!!
This is a topic, I am excited about and also approach with a little bit of apprehension. I am excited because God asks me this question many times, "Why are you doing this (singing in the choir, teaching a Sunday School class, speaking to this person, cooking this meal, giving this offering, sending this card, etc...?) Since these are all "good things" to do, why must God plunder to the depths of my heart intent? Because "why" you do things is more important that "what" you do. What is the motive behind the actions? Who is getting the glory from these things? What is the intended result?
Now, don't ask me how I know these answers... but sometimes the intent of doing good actions may be being seen, or thought of more highly and the emphasis is on "self". Our motives come from our heart, out of what is in our heart is where come our words, actions and attitudes. God should have first place in our hearts and consume it. But, "self" which is the "look at me, do you see me, I"m going to get what I want" thoughts can be pretty stubborn to move out of the way! It needs to be a daily practice, placing God first in our hearts and seeking His direction for each day. When we place God first, everything that is done is for His glory. He knows more than us, He sees more than us and if we yield to Him, He can bring good out of any situation. If we make our motive to glorify Him, He will connect opportunities to bless others through a variety of ways. He knows the person who needs a smile and kind word. He knows the child He will place in that Sunday School class, He knows the person whose heart will be cheered by a song, He knows where that offering will end up to meet a need that only He could meet.
Our motives can be guided by the Scripture found in Mark 12:30-31 "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment and the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
When we are filled with God's love, we will love others with that sacrificial love that puts the needs of others above our need for recognition.
A final "motive check' for any action is: "Will this be a true blessing or encouragement to others?" Also remember, it's all about Him, not us, will He get the glory?
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14
so true, will He get the glory is really a good question to ask!
ReplyDeleteTesting our heart continually is what we need to do to make sure we have the pure motive. It is hard sometimes as we just get into a routine.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts and wisdom were found in your post! It needs to be a daily practice, placing God first in our hearts and seeking His direction for each day. When we place God first, everything that is done is for His glory. I love it! So true. Thanks so much for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteAmen sister!
ReplyDeleteMay we ALL be directed in God's love and Christ's perseverance! (2 Thess. 3:5)
Wonderful post! Thank you so much for sharing and being so transparent!
Bless you dear sister!
Sunny
I love the thoughts you shared with us this morning. The more posts I read this morning on this, the more I'm convicted. :O It's just such an important area... our hearts and our hearts desire for the way we live our lives!
ReplyDeleteJoyfull is right - I was almost singing by the time I finished your post. Thank you - it was beautiful and real.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering, just going to pitch this out here, but perhaps when others see Jesus and not us...then our motives are right? I just thought of this as I read your delightful post.
ReplyDeleteI totally am in agreement with this: Our motives can be guided by the Scripture found in Mark 12:30-31 "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment and the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Lovingly,
Yolanda
I've read such good things today and here is no exception! "Because "why" you do things is more important that "what" you do." This is the truth of God looking beyond our outward appearance to what's in our heart. That really is what He is concerned with. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you joined in on the discussion today. I want to have a pure motive in the things that I do or don't do and most importantly that I could have a humble spirit before God. I loved what you said about it being a daily practice...we have "die" to self daily! Thanks for sharing today, Laurie
ReplyDelete