What’s the Motive?

Nothing that is said or done, is done so without an underlying motive.  I’m a very analytical person so I’m often questioning motives- those of others as well as my own.

Good or bad, selfish or selfless, we don’t do anything without a reason.  When we choose to help someone, what is our motive?  As a Christian it should be because it is the right thing to do and it is what Jesus wants us to do:  “For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me” (Matthew 25:35-36 KJV).  This is not always the case though.  A lot of times the motive is to get something in return:  cash, some material possession, or maybe something nonmaterial such as attention, public praise, or some other accolade.  A quote that I saw on Pinterest says it well:  “If you’re helping someone and expecting something in return, you’re doing business not kindness.”

My motive for writing this blog post?  I love writing, it is one of my gifts and I choose to use it to help teach, encourage, motivate, and uplift others.

There is a motive for everything and the motive does make a difference- a difference in how your actions are received and/or the outcome of your actions.  Soooo, what’s your motive?

My Mission Statement

I was both intrigued and challenged by the concept of a Life Purpose/Mission Statement.  This notion was presented to me via a training exercise sponsored by Happy Black Woman.  While it is common practice to have a mission statement for a business or corporation, I had never considered a personal life mission statement.  It made me sit back and really reflect on the questions of “who are you?  what is important to you? what do you stand for?”

This reflection resulted in my life purpose/ mission statement which I am proud to share with you below.

God is the head and center of my life.  I humbly submit to Him         and my life evolves from Him and revolves around service to and for Him.  Faith, family, love, and forgiveness are the foundations my life is built upon.  Each day I make effort to “die a little more to self” so that I can become more like Christ, who completely died for me.  I am committed to life long learning in and outside of the classroom.  I am equally committed to teaching both in and outside of the classroom.  My gifts and ministries include writing, helping, encouraging, and teaching.  My mission is to serve the Lord within my home, church, and community and be the best me, the me that God created me to be.

What is your mission?

 

You’re Approved!

 

God has already given us His stamp of approval; No further validation is needed or required.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.”  Genesis 1:27 ESV

“For am I now seeking the approval of man , or of God? Or am I trying to please man?  If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”  Galatians 1:10 ESV

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

Chew on It

Sometimes the very moment we have said or done something we instantly regret it, other times the regret takes awhile to set in, but nevertheless it comes.  Whether it is “a” or “b”, we can’t take back our words or undo our actions, so let us take a few seconds to chew on our words before we spit them out and be mindful of what we are choosing to do and its possible impact before we do it.

What Would You Give Up For Happiness?

What would you give up to be happy?  A lot of people think gaining a particular thing will result in happiness… a career, a relationship, a car, a house, etc.  Sometimes it’s not what we need to gain, but what we need to give up in order to live happier lives.

 

How To Stay Inspired

Common sense and not so common tips for staying inspired.

Credit: Written by Oliur on theultralinx.com