Check your motivation

Rob Streetman Sept. 27, 2017

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You may recall from the beginning of this series that we are on this journey together. God has called my business, inLight Consulting, to more. Like you, I feel the tension of transition in the air. God is up to something!

Up to this point in the series, I have been introducing (and applying to myself) the basic principles that I share with other workplace leaders. Recently, God introduced something extra. 

It is not unusual for God to add something particular for the person I am discipling. In this case, that person is me. I hope it will also help some of you.

Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever (from the Westminster Catechism). Motivation is a big deal in the kingdom of God. As we prepare ourselves to be transformed by the Holy Spirit for the more of God’s call, it will do us well to check our motivation.

Why are you following Jesus? Why did you say the “sinner’s prayer”? Why did you make that fateful decision? Why are you interested in the more God is offering?

Serious Christian know: if your primary motivation is for yourself (e.g., to experience the more), you will end up with a humanistic journey and outcome. What may surprise you is the extent our humanistic gospel has taken us.

If your primary motivation is “to be a blessing to others,” you are still approaching God’s call with a humanistic mindset. Step back for a moment and consider:  Humanism has so infiltrated the Western church that it has become our normal operating model. 

Why should people become Christians? Is it for them, or for Him? Why do we send missionaries to the four corners of the Earth? Is it for those lost souls, or for the One Who deserves the reward for His sufferings?

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. —Colossians 1:16

God so loves the world, that it is hard for us to keep our hearts and minds straight about the reason for our being here. Take note: It is for His glory, kingdom and pleasure. Do we benefit? Absolutely! Should we (i.e., humankind) be the primary focus? Absolutely not!

Be careful and don’t let this slip past your earnest consideration. I strongly recommend a message by Paris Reidhead, entitled “Ten Shekels and a Shirt.” You can find it, along with many other wonderful sermons from the last 100 years, on Sermonindex.net.

In closing, let me encourage you that God has put the motivation He desires into your heart. Confess your sinful motivations, accept His forgiveness, and trust in His cleansing. 

Then, simply ask Him to stir up the desire in your heart for His glory. You will be glad you did.

Photo source: istock

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Rob Streetman serves the body of Christ as President of two parachurch ministries: inLight Consulting (a workplace transformation ministry) and 2:2 Collective (a unity and church growth ministry). He is the author of two books: The Map Maker and A Storm is Coming. Rob’s heart desires is to encourage, edify and equip Christian leaders as disciple-makers and transformation agents—that they would become houses that stand in the storms of this life. He previously worked in various IT industry positions. Learn More »

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