What motivates you? Do you work hard because you will receive praise from your boss or family members? Do you follow God because of the blessings you get from Him? What if you never heard an encouraging word or it seemed you never received that blessing? I have to admit that I am driven by the praise of my family and friends. I am also a results person. I like to see that all my hard work has had a positive impact for God's kingdom. But what if those things never come?
God has done so much for us and we are so blessed, yet we always seem to want more and at times even expect more. Jesus commanded us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind." (Mark 12:30) It can not hinge on how God blesses us. Salvation alone should be our motivation to serve God. Don't get me wrong - I really enjoy receiving the gifts God gives and I think scripture shows us that God wants to bless us. (Matthew 7:11) I also enjoy seeing results of something I worked hard on but I don't think God is obligated to let us see those things. I may not see the results of my work on earth until I reach heaven at the end of my life.
As musicians we look at others and see the amazing things God is doing through them and wonder - "Why can't you use me that way, God?" What we do not realize is that God has gifted each of use uniquely and the place we are NOW and the things we are doing NOW is what God has chosen for us to do. Our faithfulness to what God has called us to do lies in the times we do not clearly see God's blessings or results.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 119:33-40, Matthew 7: 7-12, Mark 12:28-34, 1 Corinthians 10:31
BOTTOM LINE
What Jesus did for us on the cross gave us ALL the motivation we need to serve Him for a lifetime.