Motivation

I've always struggled with motivation.  Why am I doing something?  Why am I acting in a certain way?  Being a person who has been on the low side of the self-esteem level most of her life, perfection issues and performance based self-value has been the rule of thumb for gauging my worthwhile-ness.  And while the I have been growing in this area the last few years, I still need reminders on a regular basis.   So when I read the lines. "Your own desire to look good can also drain your energy.  I am your Master, and I do not drive you to be what you are not." in "Jesus Calling" yesterday morning, I felt that familiar check in my spirit that I was straying to an area of self; a "performance based value, and working for the wrong reasons mentality."

I am thankful for the progress I have made in this area.  But I still have a tendency to look at how well I am performing according to MY standards to give me value, to prove I am worthwhile to myself and to others.  This is definitely not of the Lord.  My value is based on being in Christ, being His creation, a masterpiece that He is still forming and growing to mirror His character.

God visits are so awesome.  Whether they are comforting, encouraging, directive, or as in this case, correcting and reminding.  I am thankful for my Father's patience and continued willingness to work with His ofttimes wandering daughter.

Matthew 6:24  No one can serve two masters.  For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money.

Jesus teaches about not doing things just to gain worldly riches.  I want to apply this principle to my inner life as well.  I don't want to be doing things just to serve my ego, or expectations, or need for self-worth (at the same time telling myself it's for the Lord, it's what He wants).  It is all through Him and for Him.   NEWS FLASH !!!   It's not about me!!  LOL

Ephesians 2:10  For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.  

I am His creation.  I am in  Christ, newly made.   Fashioned to walk in His will, for His purposes, to His glory.  HIM HIM HIM  not me me me.

Matthew 11:28-30  Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."

I was never meant to live, work or find value in the hard taskmasters of earning my own value, or winning the approval of others.  Never meant to set up my own standards, setting the bar to a point of frustration and exhaustion.   Jesus asks for us to just follow His lead, and make Him our Master. What a weight is lifted when we just learn this principle.  To do it all for the joy and glory of the Lord.   And that doesn't mean do everything, it just means do everything we do for His glory.

Thank You Lord for the reminder that I am to stay in You, remain in Your presence and just be.  My value is there, I need not strive for, nor even worry about it.  Maintaining peace in You is more important than completing the myriads of jobs on my to do list.  Thank You for the progress I have made and for the progress yet to come.  Thank You that we are all precious to You, just as we are, just because we are Your much loved and valued children.  Help us to live only for You.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.