What’s my Motivation??
What motivates you? What inspires you to succeed? Why do you do the things you do?
Motive. What a strange and powerful little word. A motive is the reason why you preform and action you do, at any time. It answers why you slept an extra five minutes, why you chose turkey for lunch, and why you out of the blue. It’s easy to choose to do something when you know you or someone/thing you care about have something to gain.
Like how it’s easy to run a 5k when a charity you support will get money and recognition. But it’s not so easy to run that far when there is no medal or trophy waiting on you. It’s much easier to get up early every weekday when you know you get to sleep in as late as you want on Saturday. But it’s hard when you know you have to get up early everyday, even on weekends, with no break in sight. Sometimes we have to keep doing what we know we are called to do, even though we my not see a reward or a pay-off now, maybe even ever. BUT don’t let that discourage you just yet!
Remember, in Proverbs 31:10-31 we are given a picture of a woman. She’s strong, selfless, frugal, intelligent, nurturing, and dignified. We see that she takes care of her husband and family, as well as her workers and the poor and needy. She is tireless and clearly motivated, but by what? We don’t find out until verse 31, when we read these words: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” She fears the Lord. She understands His power. She understands His strength. She understands that if He’s in control, she is not. She uses her God given talents and gifts, and does everything she can to the best of her ability so that at the end of the day God can have the glory. Her motivation is nothing but God. And one day when all of her work is finished, she will receive her reward when He welcomes her into to eternity by saying, “ Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Yes, we can all admit the trophies and the recognition in life are nice. Heck, I wear my Mrs. TN crown just to vacuum my house sometimes! But that rhinestone and metal crown can’t even compare to what’s in store for me in Heaven! By using our unique gifts and talents and giving credit and honor to Him for blessing us with them, we are switching our motivation. We are allowing Him to be the prize, and that is EXACTLY what He wants from us. He wants to be the medal you show off to your friends. He wants to be the sparkly hat I wear when I’m on stage and when I vacuum my living room. He wants to be your reason for living, because you were His!
So this week as you go about your normal life at school, work, and home, take time to think about your motivation or each action you make? Be conscious of your reasons for doing everything, and if God isn’t your one motivation, change it! Think about how God can be glorified or magnified by even the smallest things you do. Even though it may not change what you have to do, it will certainly change how you look at having to do it! ☺