In sports, it is offensive for anyone to question your motivation. No one wants to be accused of not being motivated to play hard and win.
But what about with our faith? Motivation is the key to the success of everything we do in the church. Every ministry depends upon motivated people. Every classroom depends upon a motivated teacher to fill it. Every contribution plate needs motivated givers. If motivation is lacking, then the church will suffer.
Our own agendas get in the way, and we lack motivation for the Lord’s work. We become consumed with life and our activities. The early disciples experienced the same problems. They doubted and were setting their minds on the things of man too (Mat. 16:21-23, 17:22-23). They lacked motivation because they lacked faith.
So I want to question your motivation in this post. Rather, I truly want you to question your own motivation. I want to use three simple questions for self-reflection.
- Are you in love?
- Your spouse or kids don’t want you to love them out of duty. They want you to love them from your heart. They want you to love being in their presence and being delighted in their person. Christ is no different. He wants us to love him with our whole heart and being. We should be motivated to serve Christ because we are in love. It is a joy and delight to reciprocate the love Christ has shown to us back to Him (Ps 37:4).
- Are you growing?
- The Bible tells us to grow (Eph. 4:15; 2 Pet. 3:18)! We learn by stretching ourselves. We learn by watching and doing. We must never quit growing in our faith. Are you content with your faith? Are you satisfied with the service you are presently offering the Lord? If you aren’t growing, then you aren’t motivated!
- Are you hungry?
- When you work hard, you get hungry. Work creates hunger. If you are working for the Lord and growing in your service, you will be hungry. There ought to be within you an internal spiritual hunger thirsting for more of Christ! You should not be satisfied with milk, but should be desiring solid food and meat (Heb. 5:11-14). If you aren’t hungry, you aren’t motivated (Mat. 5:6)
How is your motivation? Jesus said his food or motivation was to do the will of God and accomplish his work (John 4:34-35). You should have the same motivation. If you aren’t in love, growing, and hungry, then there is a serious problem. Get motivated for Jesus!
