Thursday, March 1, 2012

What is Your Motivation?

Have you ever thought about why you do what you do or why you don't do what you don't do?  Sometimes we go through life doing and don't doing without giving a thought to the motivation that is behind it.  Other times we analyze our thoughts and our actions and do them for a particular reason.

Every once in a while I find myself thinking about my actions or the actions of others....wondering what the motivation was behind it.  To think about my own actions is wise.  To analyze those of another is wrong.  It isn't possible for me to know what the motivation is behind someone else's thoughts and actions.  That's between him/her and God.  But, I can be responsible for my own.  I can make sure that in everything I do and say, that my motivation is pure.  That I am only doing and only saying what I am because of the right motivation....that it is to give God the glory and not myself.  That nothing I'm doing or saying is every to bring attention to 'me'.

So, for today, ask yourself:  Why am I doing this?  Why am I saying this?  Am I doing/saying this to glorify God?  Or am I seeking attention for myself?

If I am doing it for self, I need to realize it and change my behavior and my motivation.  If I'm doing it for God and for His glory, it's a good thing.

To God be the glory in all that we do and in all that we say!  Always!

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11

For from him and through him and to him are all things.
   To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:36

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
    “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:1-4

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for this post Lori. I really needed it today!

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  2. This is a constant check I do on myself when I'm blogging or speaking to others about the Lord. Do I post for edification of others? Is it an attempt to puff myself up? Do I tell people about Jesus to get brownie points, attempting to rack up a score through works? Do I do it out of love and honor for his name? Thank you for this great post!

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  3. You're welcome, Teresa! Glad it helped you today :).

    Joe - I really like the questions you put in your comments! Thanks for those as an addition to the post and for your comment.

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Thank you for visiting "Shine Like Stars"! I appreciate your comments. Have a great day! Lori