Sunday, May 16, 2010

Motivation

Motivation
May 17, 2010
Philippians 3:14 "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Some days it's hard to get out of bed in the morning. It is easier for me to get up at 5 a.m. to go to work than it is for me to waken at 5 a.m. for a morning jog. My motivation is in the consequences. If I don't go to work on time, I'll lose pay and possibly my job. But if I sleep in and skip that jog, well, the consequences are far less threatening. Some mornings, though, I jump out of bed with enthusiasm, as I have the day all planned with things I'd like to accomplish. The excitement is the anticipation of success when I've completed my task or compensation received for a job well done. Every day my motivation changes; what drives me is different than what drives you. It is interesting, though; that ALL motivators are future-based, meaning that what motivates a person is the anticipation of something positive or negative toward the future. If there were no future, there would be no motivation. Thankfully, there is a future for EVERYONE, even the atheist. This is what should motivate a Christian.

The Apostle Paul wrote a very poignant verse. He said, "I press on toward the goal for the prize." He was telling us what motivated him; this should be the same thing motivating you and me. The motivator for us should be the realization of our future, spending eternity in God's presence, where He has the opportunity to say to us, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Even the atheist will stand before God some day, but it is doubtful God will say such nice things to him. You and I should live each day with this future in mind, the knowledge of our future in Heaven with God, our future reward. This future reward should be in our thoughts every day, motivating us to keep pressing on in our Christian walk and the work that God has called each of us specifically to do. This is a positive motivator, giving us the opportunity for enthusiasm in all that we do.

There is a negative motivator, too, if your future in Heaven as compensation does not motivate you to be enthusiastic in your work here on earth. It is found in James 4:17, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." The "good" that James is referring to is the Good Work you are predestined to do by God. It is similar in meaning to the Gospel as being described as "Good News." God has Good for you to do all the days of your life. These Good Works, should you become aware of them by God, are your job. You know what I am referring to, those times when you have a pressing in your Spirit to take action on something, when your inner thoughts compel you to act according to God's will. It is your job to take that action, for the cause of Christ. Your compensation for this job will be given to you in Heaven. Should you choose not to do your job, you are in sin. Hopefully, you don't live your life with this negative motivator, but maybe it will help you stay on track with your Heavenly job.

If you don't know what it is you are supposed to be doing, then you have not been listening to God. He has something for each and every one of us, every day of our lives. He wants us to know what we are to be doing. He wants you to be the one pressing on in your work despite all the obstacles coming your way, even if you don't know the reason WHY. I write these words every week to you, as I am directed by God to write them. If I don't write them to you, then I am in sin. I press on, then, in my work to God, toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

While I have no idea what motivates you, the positive or the negative rewards God has for your actions, you do have a future and you should move forward in your Christian walk, no matter what obstacles threaten to slow you down. I suggest memorizing this scripture and saying it to yourself every morning, especially when it's seems difficult to get out of bed. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

1. What are your motivators in life?
2. How are you motivated to work for God?
3. How can you ask God every day, what you should be doing for Him?

Add. Scriptures for Study: Matt 25:35-45, Eph 2:10, Philippians 2:13, James 4:17, 1 Peter 2:11-12

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