Sometimes it seems curious just why we do certain things. What is the motivating factor? Why are we moved to obey commands? Why are me motivated to do things for people? What makes us believe?
Obey -->Success
1 Kings 1:1-2:46
"Obey the Lord your God. Follow him by obeying his demands, his commands, his laws and his rules that are written in the teachings of Moses. If you do these things, you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go." (1 Kings 2:3)
After Adonijah tried to make himself king without poor David knowing (I really wonder how he figured that would work out), David honored his promise to Bathsheba and made her son Solomon king. Before he takes the throne, David offers some wise words of advice to the young
ruler. He should obey God, all the commands, all the teachings, etc, because he will have success. While I in no way believe in the gospel of wealth (that all those who are rich are loved by the Lord and following the Lord and those who suffer have brought it upon themselves), I think this "success" might refer to something different entirely. When we are walking with Him, "in his light" (1 John 1), then we are filled with abundant joy in the long run... joy, life, light, success. The beauty of being in the Lord motivates us to follow His commands and teachings ever more closely by reading the scripture, praying, and being built up in a community of believers.
Love --> Do
Proverbs 17:7-9
"Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask. They think it will work every time." (Proverbs 17:8)
While money can get you some things in life, it can't buy everything. Mastercard would say, some things are "priceless," and the Beatles would suggest that "Money can't buy me love." Love, yeah, that's it. People would do a lot of crazy things for the right price (evidenced by silly daring tv shows), but they won't do acts of service that require love as a basis. I'm reminded of the last "Sex and the City" episode where Miranda finds Steve's mother rooting through trash, takes her home and bathes her. Miranda might be tempted to do many things for the right price, but this well-to-do New York City lawyer could've easily had some one else take care of this less than glamorous job. To me, it's clear. This is where her love for Steve took over. Honestly the scene brought me to tears, when she looked at her housekeeper and said, "Don't tell Steve." Love leads us to make dinner when we're tired, carry on when we're sad, visit others when we have way too much to do, send a special note when we have our own agendas. Acts of love cannot be paid for... true love is given with no strings attached.
Speak --> Believe
John 9:24-41
"When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, Jesus found him and said, 'Do you believe in the Son of Man?' He asked, 'Who is the Son of Man, so that I can believe in him?' Jesus said to him, 'You have seen him. The Son of Man is the one talking with you.' He said, 'Lord, I believe!' Then the man worshipped Jesus." (John 9:35-39)
This is such an amazing part of the story... to know that the man who was born blind didn't understand what had happened at first. At first, he didn't know who restored his sight or why. It not the miracle that brought him to worship Jesus, because without the words the man didn't understand. In order for him to worship Jesus, Jesus needed to explain who he was and what had happened to him. That's like all of us... people may see our lives and admire who we are and what we do, but people will never come to believe and follow Jesus if we don't speak about the hope that we have found in Him. They will be confused as to why we do what we do... so we need to speak, because we are blessed to be a witness.
Check out this lovely video by Kay Guyer, presented at COB YAC (Young Adult conference):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hQiVbmjCfU
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