motive...

Mat. 23:5-7 "But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. "They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.

Luke 20:46-47 "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."

Jesus rightfully blasted the Pharisees for their fallen behavior. The trouble is, I see Pharisee in myself (and other Christian leaders I have encountered). It all started when I was young. I wanted to be valued and accepted by my peers. I would adjust my behavior to promote acceptability in those adolescent relationships. No one in our school yard wanted to be the last picked at kickball. You were mortified at the thought of being the brunt of the class bullies joke. There was always the resident fear of your clothes being out of sync, bad hair days, or the wayward pimple. Anything that kept you from fitting in was the enemy and anything that brought you into the inner circle was a treasured discovery.

Flash forward 50 years to find a man in a kids frame of mind. I find myself still seeking approval. I want to be accepted and valued by my peers. Admittedly, these tendencies are deep and well hidden, but they are there none the less. They surface unexpectedly like dross from a smelters fire. They can affect how you speak, how you write, and how you relate to those God brings into your life. I know the truth. I understand the need to die to self and be clothed with Christ. Knowing becomes the torment. Knowing becomes the admission that a journey remains.

The point? I must regularly critique my motives. For me, I find (at least) 3 motives that drive my exercise:

1) Has God given me an assignment that I initiate with/for Him?
2) Am I doing good because it is the correct thing to do in the moment?
3) Am I attempting to draw attention to myself by "doing"?

You must know that the admission that motive 3 still drives some of my "work" is both embarrassing and frustrating. I write this with the notion that others share my secret. God desires to raise up a army of humble, selfless believers who are willing to forgo the spotlight and choose to serve in the shadows. May God change our hearts and become our Motive in all things.

mickey mooney