Living by the Purest of Motivations

Our actions can often seem to arise from the purest of motivations (e.g. I want to help; I want to be kind; I want to do a good job). This verse reminds us that God knows us better than we know ourselves and He understands what our true motives are including their cost.

Underneath the seemingly purest of motivations can sometimes lay a foundation of fixed rules, identity labels, negative experiences and unwanted emotions, which act as powerful motivators for our actions. For example:

I must always do my best or, I should be liked by everyone. If I don’t, I’m a failure. Worthless, lazy, a disappointment, or any number of different identity labels. The consequences of not doing so are too great because it hasn’t been pleasant in the past when I didn’t do my best, or when I disappointed someone. I’m scared that it will happen again, and I’m fearful, anxious, and worried about what people will think or do if I don’t do what they ask or strive to do my best.

When we struggle with similar foundational narratives, they can motivate our actions because of a sense of not being good enough, a need for approval or to please others, or to meet exceptional and often unrealistic standards.

Continually living out these narratives comes at a cost. Emotionally it leaves us drained as we cycle through difficult emotions such as fear, anxiety, shame and guilt. It deprives us of authenticity as our actions are guided by the will or perceived will of others, or the hope of avoiding difficult thoughts and feelings. This results in a life deprived of vitality, reduced self-esteem, and insufficient personal boundaries.

God asks us to examine the purity of our motives, not to evoke anxiety, shame or guilt, but to draw us closer to Him. As we draw closer to God, we are overwhelmed by His love, compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness. His love and compassion for us, highlights our need for self-compassion, grace and love towards ourselves.

Jesus repeatedly called out the fixed rules and identify labels of others, and He sought out those struggling with difficult experiences, thoughts, and emotions. He wanted to take their fear, shame, and guilt, and rewrite their story by giving them love, grace and compassion instead. Jesus was driven by the purest of motivations, love. Love casts out fear, shame, and guilt, and replaces them with grace, compassion and forgiveness.

Jesus wants to rewrite our stories, and by doing so, change our motivations to the purest one of all: love. Love for Him, love for ourselves, and love for others. When we live our lives motivated by love, we will live out our values more and experience increasing levels of joy and vitality as a result.

Reflection

Where in your life recently were your actions motivated by a fixed rule, identity label, or difficult experience or emotions? How would you have acted differently in that situation if you were instead motivated by God’s love, love for yourself, or others?

Prayer

Father God, thank you for the love, compassion, grace and forgiveness that you have shown me. Help me to cultivate love, compassion, grace and forgiveness for myself and others.

Affirmation

Who I am Is not defined by my past, my emotions or thoughts, but by God and His love for me.

Action

Set yourself this goal: after I wake-up in the morning I will reflect on how I can love myself and others more today? Notice as you reflect on these questions, how it shapes your actions across your day.