July 17, 2016
Part III: The Ultimate Motivation
Dear Graduate,
The path you implement over the next five years will create monumental ripple effects upon the trajectory of your life. With each rock (or decision) cast into this lake called “your life,” the ripple effects generated from rocky decisions often spread much further than we could have ever imagined. Like a wind-wheel on a windy day; the path you desire to establish continues twirling with infinite directional decisions to consider. That’s why my aim in Part 1 was to help you acknowledge the weight felt during this transitional season; concurrently revealing multitudinous driving motives that often shape the decisions we make. Independence. Experimentation. Wealth. Fear. Prominence. Tranquility. Purpose. Each of these 7 driving motives possess the inherent quality of being “good motives,” so long as they never transform into becoming our ultimate motive. The cautionary tone presented towards these motives were to uncover their limitations in delivering what you and I so desperately seek; namely ~ P.S.L.V.H
That’s why Part 2 covered the need we each have to align our postures in a manner that allows us to think and act like our supreme example thought and acted. For when our desires, followed by our actions are aligned with His; it’s then that we are ready to lead a life motivated by what should be both ultimate and authentic. It’s then that we are able to understand why there should be no greater motivation for our lives than that which should be ultimate.
The path you implement over the next five years will create monumental ripple effects upon the trajectory of your life. With each rock (or decision) cast into this lake called “your life,” the ripple effects generated from rocky decisions often spread much further than we could have ever imagined. Like a wind-wheel on a windy day; the path you desire to establish continues twirling with infinite directional decisions to consider. That’s why my aim in Part 1 was to help you acknowledge the weight felt during this transitional season; concurrently revealing multitudinous driving motives that often shape the decisions we make. Independence. Experimentation. Wealth. Fear. Prominence. Tranquility. Purpose. Each of these 7 driving motives possess the inherent quality of being “good motives,” so long as they never transform into becoming our ultimate motive. The cautionary tone presented towards these motives were to uncover their limitations in delivering what you and I so desperately seek; namely ~ P.S.L.V.H
That’s why Part 2 covered the need we each have to align our postures in a manner that allows us to think and act like our supreme example thought and acted. For when our desires, followed by our actions are aligned with His; it’s then that we are ready to lead a life motivated by what should be both ultimate and authentic. It’s then that we are able to understand why there should be no greater motivation for our lives than that which should be ultimate.
Let Me Share a Story…
It comes from a very ancient book of the Bible and features one of the rare “audible” interactions ever recorded between man and God. The man’s name was Moses and he lived in Egypt. He was born into slavery as an Israelite, but his mom gave him away with hopes that he would have a better future. Moses found his way into Egyptian royalty but later left due to an extreme moment of conflict. Later in life, God would use Moses to deliver the oppressed nation of Israel. Throughout the story, God’s ultimate aim is to reveal Himself as the glorious Lord that He is. There are many historically-famous conversations that took place between God and Moses. Consider this exchange between them as God describes His own glory to Moses. One striking conversation they had went something like this:
God said,
God said,
But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.
Then Moses said to God,
If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?
God said to Moses,
I AM who I AM
And He continued,
Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.” The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
You see, before God proceeded with delivering those who were oppressed… before He even revealed His name; He wanted Moses… thus the Israelite (meaning you and I) to be absolutely stunned by who He is. “I Am Who I Am.” In modern terms, it’s almost as if God was saying:
So you want to ask me about who I am? And you want to know what it means to glorify me… to do everything to and for my glory? Well, before you do anything for me and in my name… let me tell you something Moses (put your own name here) Let this sink in…. you should simply be amazed that I exist. Who am I?
I AM.
God would go on to use Moses as the vessel of deliverance for the Israelites. He would send 10 miraculously-vicious plagues upon the oppressors of that land to facilitate the release of those in slavery. Turning rivers of water into blood and overwhelming the Egyptians with horrible calamities such as boils, were just a few demonstrations of just how far He was willing to go to rescue the Israelites for the purposes of glorifying Himself.
Can’t you see graduates? Glorifying God must be first… and last… and everything in between. It’s the foundation. It was and remains of infinite importance. Because Moses recognized this truth, he was correctly propelled to navigate the trajectory of his life well. His ultimate motivation was to glorify God.
Can’t you see graduates? Glorifying God must be first… and last… and everything in between. It’s the foundation. It was and remains of infinite importance. Because Moses recognized this truth, he was correctly propelled to navigate the trajectory of his life well. His ultimate motivation was to glorify God.
But Do You Really Understand?
I know it seems that Bible Believing Christians use the word “glorify” quite often. Between Sunday morning services and midweek small groups; the use of this term is common practice for many of us. But using a word and understanding a word are wholly different things. And for the unbeliever, I believe “peculiar” is what sufficiently describes this esoteric word. People often have a perception of glorifying God that is quite nebulous. Graduate, you cannot afford to leave this blog post hearing “just another” Bible story about Moses. Don’t do that. If you and I have any hope in realigning our ultimate driving motivation in life to mirror that of Jesus Christs’; the principles of these ancient stories must become modern-day instructions for us to follow with joy.
Glorify God Above All Else- A Modern Day Take
Glorifying God above all else is our creative purpose. Graduate, when you understand why something was created, does it not help you use it to its full potential? Consider this. Electrical outlets are sources of energy that were created for the purpose of distributing energy resources to various devices within our homes. That is their purpose. Young children who have not yet been taught otherwise, may attempt to place their fingers inside the socket or perhaps stick sharp toys into the holes. For them, they are unclear of the electrical outlets creative purpose… And if missing the electric outlets creative purpose wasn’t bad enough, the failure for that child to learn its intended purpose could lead to harm and even death right? And so it goes with us. We are objects of Gods’ creation. We have a specific and intended purpose…. And when we step away from that purpose, harm and danger always abound. Can’t you see? Understanding why we were created makes all the difference towards the trajectory we take regarding our lives. If you know that you are made for God’s glory, and that your aim should be to glorify Him; you will make better use of your life and be happier.
God is Greater Than Your Favorite Hero and Deserves to be Glorified as Such
How many movies have we watched in which heroes bolt down through clouds in thunderous heaps of wonder to save the day? Or perhaps that classic innocent couple… you know, the ones in the movie that are often crossing through a New York alley to get home quickly, only to be mugged by robbers? As the hero intercedes on their behalf, thereby eliminating the present danger; are we not amazed? Are we not amazed when real life heroes such as the courageous firefighters were during that dreadful terrorist attack on September 11, 2001? And if we are amazed; if we think it is of great kindness and love for a superhero to spare our lives; what loving kindness it is that God actually gave us our life! The very breath that we breathe… we draw from Him. God gives us the fantastic gift of health; which is the seasoning to enhance our taste of life. He gives us food; the very gasoline that fuels our bodies to laugh, cry, celebrate, mourn, play, and live.
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen- Romans 11:36
This means that everything comes from God. And since everything comes from God; if all that we possess comes from His incredibly gracious heart; is it not reasonable that we should glorify Him? Can’t you see? We were created to live for Him… thus by Him. Many religions teach of their distant gods who are like eagles. Reigning as alphas on the food chain by perching themselves on high cliffs; rarely seen and aloof. Similarly, when an eagle is no longer hiding amongst the clouds but is grounded in plain sight to see; they are no longer daunting predators. They are seen for what they are. A simple bird to be eaten. They are not kings of the food chain. Eagles like many religions gods are false kings. But let us consider our God. The great I AM. He is like a lion who reigns over the lands amongst the rest of the animals. He roars… and the reverberations of his power, glory, and lordship can be heard across the land. Lions… like our God, will lay in short grass; comfortably displaying themselves to all. Lions, like our God Jesus Christ; are the real kings.
And since He’s real…and present.. and deserving of our affections which should be aimed at glorifying Him; we should seek to glorify God with everything we are and by everything we do. How? This is accomplished when how we feel, think, and act gives evidence of His supreme awesomeness in such a way that reflects His glory in the paths that we choose. When this is accomplished in that order, we can pursue good motives without fear. Why? Because our ultimate motivation is to glorify God.
And since He’s real…and present.. and deserving of our affections which should be aimed at glorifying Him; we should seek to glorify God with everything we are and by everything we do. How? This is accomplished when how we feel, think, and act gives evidence of His supreme awesomeness in such a way that reflects His glory in the paths that we choose. When this is accomplished in that order, we can pursue good motives without fear. Why? Because our ultimate motivation is to glorify God.
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visit the website: MAKING MUCH OF CHRIST MINISTRIES
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visit the website: MAKING MUCH OF CHRIST MINISTRIES
To learn more about The God who’s ready to walk with you click HERE
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!