Our Motivation
I wonder whether you have ever felt that, after clearly hearing the Lord's word and direction in your life, things have not gone as smoothly as you might have hoped. God brings all manner of things into our lives to test and develop us, but sometimes our motivation might be the problem.
Balaam is probably famous in the Old Testament for his talking donkey (Numbers 22). But consider the sequence of events in the story: God tells Balaam to go with the princes of Moab (v20). We then read that the next morning God was angry when Balaam left with his donkey, and sent an angel to oppose Balaam's progress (v22). The donkey responds by: turning off the road (v23); squeezing against a wall, and crushing Balaam's foot (v25); and stopping, and lying down in a narrow place (v27).
Why would God send Balaam on a journey, and then get angry when he does exactly as he was told? It was because Balaam's heart was not fixed on God's desires, but on his own selfish greed for gain. (v7, 19).
We may not be interested in selfish gain as Balaam was, but we all need to ensure that our motivation continues to accord with God's will, and not our own. The donkey: Diverted Balaam off the road; Distressed Balaam by crushing his foot; and Delayed Balaam by stopping and lying down.
If our hearts are not wholly submitted to the Lord, we too may be perplexed if we begin to experience being Diverted, Distressed or Delayed when seeking to accomplish God's revealed will. Here are a few questions to ask ourselves if in that situation:
If no one ever knows what I am doing (giving or serving), would I still do it?
If others misunderstand or criticize my actions, will I stop?
Do I judge my success or failure based on how I compare with others, or by what God has asked of me?
So, if we are experiencing difficulties in fulfilling God's purposes, let's take stock that our heart is in the right place.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col. 3:23, 24)
