Thought for Thursday, October 18th

October 18, 2012

The Habit of Motivation

“Motivation is what gets you started.  Habit is what keeps you going.”

-       Jim Ryan

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:6-7

Sometimes it can be extremely difficult to get motivated and even more taxing to stay motivated: yet spiritually speaking this is something we must do.

It is not enough to get motivated and enthused about doing something for the kingdom of God; but we need to maintain our level of excitement, act on it and keep on going even when set-backs and obstacles pop-up.

If we fail to be enthused about what we are doing: we can hardly expect others to get excited about it.

God has given us each gifts and abilities that we can utilize to further His work on earth: but are we motivated enough to utilize, develop and sharpen those skills and abilities so that they are the best that they can be: and then are we equally motivated to employ them in hands on active service that is aimed at actually getting something done?

When it comes to our spiritual gifts and our service for the Lord: we need to heed the admonition in the passage above given, by Paul to Timothy to not only get motivated to stir up our gifts and to fulfill our calling: but also to stay motivated, with enthusiasm, thanksgiving and joy that we have the honor and privilege to be engaged in service for our King.

And in so doing, we need to remember it is His power and presence within us that sustains and enables us.  Knowing this; why would we not be willing to be perpetually motivated for the cause of accomplishing His word and His will?

Today’s Prayer

Father, may I become habitual at being motivated for you.

“Purify my heart

Let me be as gold

And precious silver

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from within

And make me holy

Refiner’s fire

My hearts one desire

Is to be holy

Set apart for You my Master

Ready to do your will.“

-  Lyrics from ‘Refiner’s Fire’ by Brian Doerksen