"In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor." Genesis4:3-5a
What motivates you? What moves you in action? Why do you do what you do?
Often, we hear the pastor say that something is a heart issue, but that's a rather vague definition. So, the other day, I asked my 9 year old if he knows what it means to say that something is a heart issue. He said, "in a way isn't the heart the same as action?" He made me think about it! My answer went something like this. Two people can do the same thing and it can be a good thing that they've done but for two very different reasons and one will please God more than the other. He said, "Like, two people will go to church and one will be really excited about it and the other one will go just because their parents want them to?" He is correct, but it often is not that obvious. Both kids could be excited about going to church and one could still be more pleasing to God. So, why does their motivation mean so much? Isn't it just good that they are doing something good?
Have you ever considered what other people's motivation means to you?
Ladies, let's say you've just finished dinner and your husband gets up to do the dishes. There are many possibilities of his motivation for this action. He could be thinking my wife had a hard day and I don't want her to have to stand here and do dishes after working so hard making us supper. He could be thinking I can't believe how messy this house is and be frustrated that no one else is doing it. Does the motivation for the action change it's meaning to you?
Men, let's say your wife begins to ask you questions about your ideal job situation. She may be asking because she wants you to feel fulfilled. She may be asking because she doesn't think you're working hard enough now. Does the motivation for the question change it's meaning to you?
Once again, we realize it is so much more about our heart than our actions.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2
These verses don't say work harder to be pleasing to God. It says transform your mind and you will be able to test and approve what God's will is. What do I transform my mind to? Believe God's Word. If you believe it, I guarantee you will be transformed. It's when we stop believing it with our heart that we get off track. I find that I often act without questioning my own motives and it isn't until I deal with something unpleasant that I realize my heart wasn't in the right place to begin with.
It makes me think back to when I was 13 years old and at Disneyland. My cousin and I jumped into a car that was just a smaller looking version of one of the original vehicles. We could steer back and forth but there was a rail between the tires to help us keep on track. If I went too far we would hit the rail with a jerk that at the time sent us into a giggle fit. This ride has some similarities to walking the Christian life. My relationship with God is the rail that keeps me on track. My heart is what moves us forward but sometimes when my motivation is self I hit the rail. Did I tell you that I need to go the chiropractor on a regular basis? I haven't heard the terms whip lash but if my chiropractor spoke in spiritual terms, she'd be spot on! So, my prayer for today is that my focus is on the path ahead (my relationship with God)! May each bump in the road bring us closer to Him!
What motivates you? What moves you in action? Why do you do what you do?
Often, we hear the pastor say that something is a heart issue, but that's a rather vague definition. So, the other day, I asked my 9 year old if he knows what it means to say that something is a heart issue. He said, "in a way isn't the heart the same as action?" He made me think about it! My answer went something like this. Two people can do the same thing and it can be a good thing that they've done but for two very different reasons and one will please God more than the other. He said, "Like, two people will go to church and one will be really excited about it and the other one will go just because their parents want them to?" He is correct, but it often is not that obvious. Both kids could be excited about going to church and one could still be more pleasing to God. So, why does their motivation mean so much? Isn't it just good that they are doing something good?
Have you ever considered what other people's motivation means to you?
Ladies, let's say you've just finished dinner and your husband gets up to do the dishes. There are many possibilities of his motivation for this action. He could be thinking my wife had a hard day and I don't want her to have to stand here and do dishes after working so hard making us supper. He could be thinking I can't believe how messy this house is and be frustrated that no one else is doing it. Does the motivation for the action change it's meaning to you?
Men, let's say your wife begins to ask you questions about your ideal job situation. She may be asking because she wants you to feel fulfilled. She may be asking because she doesn't think you're working hard enough now. Does the motivation for the question change it's meaning to you?
Once again, we realize it is so much more about our heart than our actions.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2
These verses don't say work harder to be pleasing to God. It says transform your mind and you will be able to test and approve what God's will is. What do I transform my mind to? Believe God's Word. If you believe it, I guarantee you will be transformed. It's when we stop believing it with our heart that we get off track. I find that I often act without questioning my own motives and it isn't until I deal with something unpleasant that I realize my heart wasn't in the right place to begin with.
It makes me think back to when I was 13 years old and at Disneyland. My cousin and I jumped into a car that was just a smaller looking version of one of the original vehicles. We could steer back and forth but there was a rail between the tires to help us keep on track. If I went too far we would hit the rail with a jerk that at the time sent us into a giggle fit. This ride has some similarities to walking the Christian life. My relationship with God is the rail that keeps me on track. My heart is what moves us forward but sometimes when my motivation is self I hit the rail. Did I tell you that I need to go the chiropractor on a regular basis? I haven't heard the terms whip lash but if my chiropractor spoke in spiritual terms, she'd be spot on! So, my prayer for today is that my focus is on the path ahead (my relationship with God)! May each bump in the road bring us closer to Him!
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