Motivation

 “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of others.” Philippians 2:3-4.

 

My devotion in the Daily Bread brought up a question I’ve asked myself over and over. When I share my spiritual experiences, what is my true motivation? Am I trying to impress them, or encouraging and inspiring them to a closer relationship with God?

While I want to believe it is the latter that motivates me, is it?

For example, my daughter-in-law shared a divinely inspired dream with me. I listened and joined in the discussion of the dream’s significance, but then mentioned how many prophetic dreams I’ve experienced. Not to validate her dream, but to brag.

Afterward, I realized what I’d done, and I asked God to forgive me. Convicted, I messaged my daughter-in-law and amended my response to her dream. Her reply confirmed how much my opinion mattered.

Huge lesson on humility I hope I don’t forget.

After that experience, I’ve started praying before sharing any of my experiences, asking God to check my motivation. If it’s not for God’s glory, I need to stay quiet.

God confirmed this at my next Bible study. Several experiences came to mind I thought about sharing. However, instead of blurting them out, I prayed, asking God if I should share or not. Immediately I felt a physical burning and a powerful compulsion to share my experience of seeing Jesus face to face. 

I was so nervous at the thought of disclosing something this intimate to a group, my hands were shaking. A very different reaction from relating any of my other stories.

Despite my doubts, the burning intensified. I gave in to the compulsion and related the experience. The moment I finished, the physical burning stopped, replaced by a deep calm and sense of peace. That had to have been from God.

To my surprise, people came up to me and thanked me for sharing. Their expressions said they weren’t just being polite. God had touched their hearts.

Thank you, Lord, for calling into question my motivations and showing me the difference between self-aggrandizement and Your will. Amen.

 

Pride

 

Image by Daniel Dan outsideclick from Pixabay

I never thought of myself as a prideful person, but I am.  

I’ve taken pride in my writing and painting, but always reminded myself of the proverb, “Pride comes before a fall”. Whenever I boasted, criticism knocked me down a peg or two.

This week, God pointed out a much bigger and self-destructive issue.

I have bragged about the fact at my age I can still lift 40 pounds of dog food and move heavy furniture. Now that my house is under contract to sell, I deceived myself in thinking I didn't want to impose on my friends by asking for help. In reality, it was pride preventing me from asking, and I set myself up for a literal fall. I did a double step going into church on Sunday, almost too tired to walk.

I’m a silly old woman sometimes. Especially with so many friends offering to help!

The Holy Spirit smacked me up the side of the head and pointed out my foolishness. I finally swallowed my pride and accepted help.

God not only answers our prayers, He also protects ourselves from ourselves — if we listen.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you discipling your wayward child and protecting her in the process.  Amen.    

A God Like No Other

Original photo by Author

Our God humbled Himself, becoming a helpless baby dependent on His creation for the very basics of survival. Even more, He chose not to be born into wealth in a royal household, nor even to a well-to-do nobleman but to a humble carpenter.

As written in Samuel 16:7: “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

As Jesus grew, He had no reason to brag or flaunt who He was. He knew his worth, knew his capabilities, but chose not to lord it over us. “…I am meek and humble of heart.” Matthew 11:29.

According to Merriam-Webster, the meaning of humility is freedom from pride or arrogance: the quality or state of being humble. 

Humility accepts our strength and our weaknesses. “I can do that.” Versus, “I can do that better than you.”

Jesus taught, instructed, and became our Servant.

"But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.” Matthew 20:25-27.

A big turnaround from the false gods so many ancient civilizations worshipped. They were capricious, spiteful, and often violent, demanding sacrifices, even the worshippers’ own children. While our God not only became our servant, He also offered Himself as our sacrifice.  

Let me repeat that.

The Great I Am, the Creator of All Things, sacrificed Himself for us rather than the other way around.

It’s hard to grasp.

Then, as I wrote these words, a brilliant golden sunrise illuminated my room. 

Dear Lord, you are a God unlike any other. Then, there are no other gods but You. Thank you for Your sacrifice. May I never forget and live my life as You have instructed us. Amen. 

Running Ahead

Photo by Taryn Elliott from Pexels

 “In what circumstances have you ‘run ahead of God?’” The question in my devotion, Our Daily Bread, gave me pause. What does it mean to “run ahead of God, and if I’ve done it, when?”

Running ahead of God probably means to take matters into my own hands rather than wait for God’s answer. In that light, let me count the ways.

I’d rather believe I’m patient, waiting until I am certain I am following God’s will before I act, but if I’m honest, I have to say not as much as I should. There are many times I moved forward in haste, fixing things in the way I saw fit, only to find out my way turned into an even bigger disaster. I try to blame all the messes I create on my alter ego, Blondie, but I realize where the blame lies. In fact, that’s where self-control comes in, restraining my impulses to “run ahead” before I’ve considered all the potential outcomes.

As I’ve aged and dealt with more disasters and circumstances beyond my control, I’ve learned to hold back a little more. True, much of my restraint is more from being overwhelmed than patient, but that counts. Recognizing I’m in over my head is a step in the right direction. Now, to pair that with the humility to wait for God’s answer and accepting the fact He sometimes uses suffering as a benefit. Scripture and common sense tell me to pray, meditate, and seek wise counsel, but that takes time when I’d rather just jump in and do something, especially if a loved one is suffering. That must be exactly what the author in the devotion meant as “running ahead of God”.

When I reflect on all the difficult moments of my life, there were clear signals indicating what I should do, act or stand still, as long as I set my pride and impatience aside. Perhaps those two things cause most of my confusion. I’ll have to work on that.

Dear Lord, help me stay close to you, power walking beside you rather than running ahead with impatience — and right into trouble. Amen.