Motivation

Every good investigator knows a suspect in a crime needs a motive. Motivation, or motive in particular, is something that drives/forces us to act. Human beings have an infinite amount of motivators, of which the most prominent in my mind are power, fame, greed, influence (the Christian term for glory that we justify), greatness, legacy, and something I will call "like-ability." We are beings who desire to be accepted and approved in some way by those around us. Our time is either spent trying to get the spotlight, trying to keep the spotlight, or trying to avoid it so as not to draw attention to our folly. When we succeed we desire attention and praise, when we misstep we hope it is noticed by no one, and may it never be brought to light. Hold your head high, and when you stumble be certain to lift yourself from the ground and move on confidently. "Dust yourself off and try again" Aaliyah tells us. Unfortunately, I often feel like my moments to be esteemed are passed over whimsically, while my faults are brought to light readily by every living creature present (my dog reminded me of my selfishness just this evening).

We are such puzzling beasts, human beings. Most of our good deeds are done with selfish motives- self-glorification, adrenaline, heroism, etc- and yet we mask it with "humility" that is defined by the deflection of praise. This is no humility at all. We want so badly for our good deeds to be noticed, so that in the end they turn from selfless acts to self-serving acts. We wish to be viewed as great. Sherlock Holmes once said,

"You know a conjuror gets no credit when once he has explained his trick, and if I show you too much of my method of working, you will come to the conclusion that I am a very ordinary individual after all."

How it rings true in my soul that if people knew the real me they would see not just my very ordinary self, but even more so the wickedness of my heart. So, like the magician- we work to never ruin our "tricks." If we can keep people looking at the smoke and mirrors we may live a life smothered by "Ooohs and Aaahs" and at the end of our time be admired, heralded, maybe even touted (any time you can use the word touted in a blog it is a good day). And, if we're honest (which none of us ever are), we desire all of those things.

Problem- God calls us to make much of Him and not of ourselves. This isn't our nature. We are wired to seek our own glory and oh how we toil at building that legacy! We hide and shift and deceive in order to be regarded as great among men! Some of the scariest passages of Scripture to me are those like Romans 2:16 where Paul writes, "on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." To know that one day I will lay naked (metaphorically) before God, all my secrets and dark corners exposed, is a terrifying thought. And yet- if I am honest now my legacy is untainted when, on that day, according to my Gospel, God will judge by secrets by Jesus. People will not look on in disgust as a secret life of sin and shame are revealed...they will look on in eager longing for the revealing of the Sons of God. My body will be redeemed and they will see a broken man made whole again. They will see a man who claimed to be the chief of all sinners redeemed, cleaned, justified, sanctified, and pure before Christ.

So what have we to fear? Confession and transparency are messy work. But if they mean drawing nearer to God then are they not worth it? For HE is the motivation that sustains! He is the motivation that never fails, the passion that never subsides, the love that never dissipates! So rather than building my own legacy and chasing the wind in the life I have been given- allow me to step aside and build HIS legacy. Lord, Humble me so that all my works may glorify Christ and not myself! Let my motivation to see the name of Christ exalted and lifted high...may it never be my name. If this means humiliation and shame for a lifetime- let me not save face. I have great hope that the "face" I lose here will be lifted in Heaven to meet my glorious Savior as He allows me to enter in and rest.

Project- Try to do something this week to help someone. Bring them lunch, give them a loan, fix a car, do a favor, stay at the hospital, try anything. Only accept no payment and tell no one of it...see how difficult it is to refrain from seeking praise from men.

"“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:1-4