Motivation

Why?

What gets you out of bed in the morning? We need motivation so that we can accomplish difficult tasks and do the hard things that are necessary in life. But often our “why” for the things that we are doing goes deeper than just the direct production of our action. For example, we clean our house not just for the purpose of having a clean home but for the physical and psychological benefits of having a clean living environment. Another example is that we go to work not only to receive a paycheck but so that we can use the money to provide for our needs and those of our families. 

Humans are creatures of habit, and for us to make big (or even small) changes to our normal patterns and routines we need substantial reasons. We know that a healthy diet, more exercise, an intentional schedule, and better sleep routine will be good for us but we still have to be motivated to make those changes. Knowledge can help but we also need to believe that the changes are going to result in the benefits that we desire. We have to have a real “why” to lead to real changes in our lives.

Urgency

One thing that often leads us to make changes (however not always good ones) is urgency. A deadline can be a powerful motivator. Some of us (the current author) are plagued by the plight of procrastination. This means that tasks seem to find a way of avoiding completion until the last moment. 

The danger in urgency being the prime motivator in our lives is two fold. First, we are forced by the tyranny of our urgent tasks into a regular mode of leaving responsively rather than proactively. This creates more pressure and stress and reduces our ability to enjoy even work that we otherwise would like doing. The second reason that urgency can be a problem is that we can end up prioritizing things that are not as important simply because they are time sensitive. This can drive us to exhaust ourselves and waste our energy on things that don’t really matter.

However, urgency can also be a positive motivator. If there were a child playing on a train track with a locomotive coming, of course we ought to be motivated by the moment of necessity. Also, due dates and deadlines help us to proactively make schedules and devise a plan of action. Urgency is a necessary motive but it should not be our predominant motive.

Success

A second predominant motivating factor in our world is the drive to achieve or succeed. Of course all people are of differing levels of competitive nature but at some level everyone wants to achieve something or be successful in some way. While success can be a motivating factor in our lives, how we define success can also be a helpful window into our priorities. If our understanding of success is all about capitol and careers then that surely does tell us something about our heart. If our understanding of success is oriented around a sport or a hobby then again our true love is showing. In the same way if our concept of success is greater repentance from sin and growing in conformity to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-30) then our passion and devotion is clear.

Glory

But what is the great motivating factor for God? The scriptures seem clear that God is ultimately seeking His own glory. This is not a selfish pursuit. As the best of all beings it would actually be sin if God didn’t seek His own glory for that is the point for which He made the world. Behold, the scene around the throne of God (Isaiah 6:1-6) is Seraphim crying out about God’s Holiness that fills the earth with His glory. Again, this is not selfish. The triune God is giving as well as receiving. The Son and Holy Spirit are giving glory to the Father just as the Father is giving glory to the Son and so on it goes the persons of the Godhead in this perfect, perpetual state of giving and receiving. 

The Scripture is also clear that we are made for His glory (Isaiah 43:4-7). We exist to give glory to God. As His image bearers it is our job and purpose to reflect His glory to all of creation that He would be seen as holy, gracious, merciful, kind, abounding in steadfast love, just, good, and glorious beyond measure!

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