Get Motivated To Serve God

 My friend Sander – who I told you got sav

ed 2 years ago – and I love to laugh at silly things like sports cliches. One we love to kid about is “He came to play.” As if some players show up and say, “Hey, what is this game here? I came to eat yogurt/read a book/play drums/ whatever.” What cliché do you find silliest?

We’ve seen what we need to grow in Christ. But part depends on how much you want it. That cliché isn’t quite as silly. Athletes want to win, but some are motivated by different things – motivation is just a reason (motive) for doing something.

Kobe Bryant had done it all and was way past his prime, but was determined to have one last great night. People said he’d be lucky to score 30 the way he was playing by then, maybe 40 shotting the ball like crazy. Yet he scored 60! (Statmuse.com says he was 22 of 50 – the most shots taken in over 50 years.) Rather than say he “came to play” or even “wanted it more,” it’s more accurate to say he was motivated by something special. 

What motivates you? Little kids are motivated to walk, talk, etc. just like those in their home – that’s why it’s vital to act like you want them to act, so they see a reason to. As we age, we have role models; we might be motivated to be like them to feel special. Like, “I’m just like them in some way.” We should all be motivated to be like Jesus.

Read Phil. 3:10. Paul is motivated by the fact he was at the top in his culture, yet it was worthless compared to knowing Jesus. He sees the power of Jesus in his life. He wants to know Jesus more and fellowship – have things in common - even in Jesus’ suffering. He wants to be like Jesus, since Jesus had done so much for him. The last half of Luke 7 has the same lesson about being grateful for what Jesus has done.

Sometimes our motivation comes from person experience or the way we’re built. Some like a really big church because they can blend in more – Sal’s wife is like that. Sal prefers a smaller group where he can get things done easier; God used that to help him start Youthquake back in 1982. He knows all about you, and when you let Him, He will use those motivations to help you grow in Him and serve Him more effectively.

See how personal Jesus is? When you trust Him to save you, you must must totally rely o Him for salvation. We can’t get to Heaven on our own. No amount of being good can make up for the fact we’ve sinned and fall sort of His perfection. But, by giving everything to Him, we become free. Free to let Him work in us according to how He made us.

So, a person who loves to help others, when following Jesus, will want to do it to honor Him, not to please themselves or others. Remember Jesus criticized Pharisees for praying so others would praise them? The Spirit brings different verses or other things to mind for one who needs a tough approach than one who needs a really soft touch. Or they visualize different things if they are visual thinkers. We should all ask God to motivate us in the best way He can, because He knows us; through verses, other people, etc.

Sure, it’s okay to be motivated by others. Bailey was thrilled that I mentioned her leading her friend to Christ. God knew she wouldn’t make the praise of others the main thing in her life, though. Some people are tempted to say “look at me” – they need God’s help not to do that. We must still love, forgive, and help them, though. Sometimes there are reasons like they got little attention at home and need constant reminders that God loves them, sees them, and doesn’t care when they mess up. Such people can be very hard on themselves, too.

God understands. He wants people to be motivated to serve Him. But He wants them to do it because they want to, not because they have to. Ask God to help you have a desire to be a Godly influence on others., so they can see how personal and loving God is, that however He made them, He wants them to use all they have in His perfect plan for their lives.