Are My Motives Pleasing to You, God?
- Do you go to church to fulfill an obligation?
- Do you get involved to get a reaction from someone; possibly pity, recognition or even money?
- Do you volunteer in your child’s classroom to analyze the new teacher or is it to help?
- Do you share prayer requests for a chance to gossip or because you truly care and are praying?
Now, I am in a “still’ season where I’m not serving in any roles. My husband has been holding my reigns and I’ve been obedient. However, I do feel like this season is coming to a close and I PRAY my heart will remain pure. I absolutely LOVE going to our church and I look forward to it each week. Honestly, it is like walking into a refreshing river! Can I shout, “I LOVE MY CHURCH?”
If you don’t know you have issues — leadership positions will make them CLEAR AS A BELL!
If I were to volunteer in my child’s classroom, it would be out of guilt. I have never felt God’s leading to work with little ones, though I feel I SHOULD. I think it is expected to serve in the Children’s ministry if you have a child … (can you hear the guilt?).
I’m sure there are areas where my motives aren’t pure. We often do things out of our insecurities – hoping to have a need met. However, I do believe God has done such a healing work in me that I will see a different outcome as I serve now.
Prayer is an awesome privilege and I pray we would always use that tool with a pure heart. I pray my motives are always pure in sharing prayer requests. God will definitely need to show me if they aren’t.
It is my heart’s desire that God would reveal my true motives. He is so loving and kind to correct His children. Our flesh can certainly get in the way sometimes.
If you’d like to join the discussions, please click on the button below.
Hi Beth, there is something for you on my blog this morning. 🙂
May you have a happy monday.
I am new here. I found your blogin one of my blogger friend Grace. Your blog was featured on his monday post. And thanks to her. I really enjoy reading all your writings specially your testimony. I was raised in catholic faith back in my country and when I meed my husband (he is christian) I start to study and learn christian teaching and finally when I got here I was baptized last 2007. And I learned to to Jesus my Lord all the time specially on marriage. My marriage has so much issue that until now I’m still struggling to be strong, I cant’ elaborate here. And one thing always bother me is my husband beleifs about some faith, before I always discuss it to him but it always end in arguments so now I prefer to be quiet and just say yes to him,, I always ask him about the speaking on tongue because the church were we belong beleive on it, but he don’t beleive on it and also he told me that we don’t need to eat pork but my church they always offer pork menu everytime we have celebration and I always so confused about it. Fo my husband he always told me that speaking on tongue is not right but he knows how to speak on tougue too. So before we always argue about it and oh always end in a very arguments. until he say bad words to me. So now I just keep all question on my mind and always pray to God to show me all the anwsers.. By the way my husband is born and raise pure jewish and at age of 12 he received received jesus and become missionary for 15 years in Brazil..
thanks again for sharing all things here in your blog… I’m glad i found it….
today’s topic really is a soul-searching one, isnt it? its good to reflect on our lives and check our hearts…
thanks for sharing 😀
Great post. Having the right motives is something I feel like I have to work on and keep my eye on Christ.
Great post, Beth!!
I think that anyone serving in ministry, or wants to serve, totally has to be led by the Holy Spirit or it’s not going to work out. I think many have good intentions, but have not prayed about it first. Then, that’s when people start to feel burdened or discouraged about serving. Because it’s never about “us”, but about Him, and Him getting all the glory.
This topic had me squirming and wiggling. It was so hard to deal with! I love the honesty you and so many others have shared here. Our motives should be all about God and not ourselves. I think all of us yearn for that affirmation or pats on the back from others, especially if we didn’t get it growing up (as is my case). Encouragement just drives me further, you know? But it shouldn’t be my motive for doing things. I loved how you mentioned that you weren’t called to work with little ones, even though you think you should. We need to be sure of God’s calling before we work with anyone at all, regardless of what we think others think we should be doing. Awesome awesome post here!
Wonderful post Beth. I too was in many leadership positions for a while and look back and saw that I did a lot out of obligation and sometimes guilt.
God used a crisis in my life to move me away for a while and it was the best thing that could ever happen.
My heart’s attitude is so different now and I give all the glory to Him.
Bless you for sharing your heart.
Vickie
Oh sister Beth,
You nailed it here:
“If you don’t know you have issues — leadership positions will make them CLEAR AS A BELL!”
It’s hard to hide you’re picking your nose, when you’re standing in the front row…that was a bit of a gross analogy to what you said, but hey, I’m a mom….sooo that happens from time to time. ☺
Love you sister and just so ENJOYED reading your post! I LOVE your heart!
Much love precious sister! ♥
Sunny
Great post, Beth! This topic really makes you stop and think, doesn’t it?
Jesusrulesme did the same thing I’m doing,, LOL
If you don’t know you have issues — leadership positions will make them CLEAR AS A BELL!
copy and paste this!!
I KNEW I did have issues, but when I went into leadership positions, that is when the Lord REALLY started working them out of me. Oh my,my faith muscles sure took quite a work out, let me tell ya..I praise God though,,I’m ‘jacked’..like having that toned ripped body,,God is doing that in my spiritual walk, I’m finally growing up in Christ Jesus. It sure was humbling though to realize how immature I had been in my walk with our Lord for so long. Praise God HE doesn’t leave us in this state..Great devotional girl. Thanks for feeding me the Word of God..yummy!!
Awesome post! Yes, I have filled leadership positions out of obligation. Totally guilty of that one! I am in a season right now where I am not in any leadership. I think I got to the point that I was just going through the motions and sort of got burnt out on it. I’m taking a break, but if God leads me to take on that role again, it will be with a heart of gladness.
Bless you, my friend!
Beth E.
I’ve been sitting there, myself, Beth, waiting for the crumbs.
“If you don’t know you have issues — leadership positions will make them CLEAR AS A BELL”
Wow. was that a mouthful! I had no idea until I became first a deacons wife and then a Pastors wife.
Thank goodness for Gods heart changing power. Glad that you joined me in todays topic of “motives”. Great insight!
-blessings, Laurie
Great post, Beth! I love your honesty and your pure heart!
I know there have been times that I have volunteered for things because I felt guilty or pressured to do so…then, it was an obligation that I resented doing. That is not what God is calling us to do and certainly, not with that attitude.
There is a great demand in our church for nursery workers. I have talked in depth with Pastor Rusty and Dorinda (she is ministry coordinator) about it. I volunteered to be a “fill-in” and immediately regretted doing so.
I did my time in the nursery with two children and in the 8 years between the two of them and I have no desire to work in there again. I know that sounds terrible but I don’t want to be there if my heart is not. We have filled out all the talents, ministry and personality forms and we found exactly where I belong. It is behind the scenes…where I want to be.
God has stretched me so much over the past 1 1/2 years and I have done things that I never thought that I would have the nerve to do. I am taking one step at a time with God leading the way. Each one of these steps have felt perfect…without regrets.
Love you, my sweet friend with a huge heart!
Such a fantastic post sweetie.
First of all, I LOVE your new look. It’s beautiful!
“If you don’t know you have issues — leadership positions will make them CLEAR AS A BELL!”
Oh girl, this is so true! Praise the Lord He can take away our issues and make them gems.
Beth, I so appreciate your honest and candid comment. I agree about the healing bit. I can see that the positions I am in now are only possible because of the healing work that the Lord has accomplished on my heart…and at the same time, it reveals so much more to go…
Thanks for your encouraging words!
Your subject today is one that I have been working through for a while. The thing is, once we have awareness that we are broken, in order to be healed, we must surrender to God. That’s the part where I go kicking and screaming often:-)
I, too, thank God for his mercy and patience with me.