MOTIVATION AND MIGHT FOR MINISTRY

 

I will love You, O LORD, my strength.  (Psalm 18:1)

There are a number of motivations for ministry that are wholly inadequate.  Some pastors are motivated by guilt—they think God is ever standing over them with a lightning bolt poised to be unleashed if they do not do their duty.  Others are motivated by compensation—they are trying to compensate for some failure in the past, or a flaw in their soul which they presently struggle with, and so work to balance out that fault.  Then, we may be motivated by co-dependency—we have a need to be needed.  Maybe that Christian leader grew up in a dysfunctional family where they learned such behavior and now as an adult practice it in a church family.  Doubtless, there are those who are motivated by seeking gain or glory—lusting for the privileges and power that may accompany their position.  None of these are proper motivations—and they will eventually lead to disenchantment with ministry and our passion and power will be depleted.  All of these are to some degree carnal compulsions.  They are to be recognized when present and repented of promptly!

David seizes on the supreme motivation that is worthy of God’s service, and that will sustain us with enthusiasm and supply us with energy for the task: “I will love You, O LORD, my strength.”  There is no greater command—and so it is a decision of the will, “I will love You.”  I can choose to embrace love because His love has embraced me—and no matter the feelings I have or the circumstances I face, my love relationship with Him is a matter of decision.  As I meditate on His love for me, read His love letter—the Scriptures—and spend time with Him in prayer, passion is reignited in my heart and power is replenished in my soul to go out and serve Him because I love Him!  Old Isaac Watts captured this in the climactic stanza of His hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

If this day finds you exhausted from a demanding week of ministry, or weak from the barbs of critics that have wounded you, and now facing another Sunday of being spent in sermon delivery—a weekly pouring out of your soul on the altar called the pulpit—with motivation lacking and might lagging—look at the cross, my brother!  Consider the love manifested to you.  See how much Jesus gave, how much He endured, and yet, what immeasurable grace He displayed and inestimable good He did!  What great love is this!  Now, it is my motivation and might to respond in the ministry assignment, my dear Lord has given, with this, “I will love You, O LORD, my strength.”