Over the next four weeks, we will journey down some dark, hidden, scary back roads. These are roads that block our way to meaning, fulfillment, purpose, finding answers, or serving someone other than ourselves. This isn’t a trip we like to take, but if we don’t, the results end in a horrific, chaotic life!
Our first stop is exploring our motives behind our actions. Why do we do what we do?
We don’t make any decisions, plans, or relate to someone without a motive, pure or impure. Motives can be deceitful if we pretend to be someone we are not. Motives can manipulate someone into our control. They can make us wear fake smiles or do something we don’t want to in order to gain something for ourselves.
Think of someone you tend to treat poorly. What ugly motive in your heart causes you to disregard the value of that relationship? Is it anger, jealously, revenge, feeling superior, or the need to control them?
Explore your motives by asking yourself this question, “Am I ________ in order to ________?” For example:
“Am I gossiping in order to feel good about myself?”
“Am I making a donation in order to increase my status?”
“Am I attending an event in order to ease my shame or guilt?”
To live authentically, we must understand our motives. This insight helps us learn to be more authentic with God when he calls us to do something for him. We can learn to replace impure motives with pure motives and turn our thought process around to serve others, instead of ourselves. Pure motives can be giving glory to God, representing Jesus to someone, and spreading the good news of the gospel.
“Am I encouraging a friend in order to represent Jesus to her?”
“Am I volunteering at the mission in order to spread the good news of the gospel?”
“Am I sharing my story in order to give glory to God?”
If these pure motives are not the reason we act, speak, or post, are you ready to tackle your motives?
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