Motivation
"You make sure they remember forever the day they played the Titans!" This is a quote from "Remember the Titans," a movie based on events that took place in Alexandria, Virginia as Coach Boone integrated a high school football team. These young men were forced to find motivation to play for people they had been told to hate. From football to exercise to relationships, motivation can sometimes be difficult to find.
On October 31, 2016 I started running. I was motivated by a desire to give God the best chance to use my body for a lifetime of ministry. I ran faithfully for four months when I came face to face with the reality that all the running in the world might not stop a heart attack at 60. It was a discouraging truth that had a negative impact on the commitment I made to God about running.
I have since registered for the GHS Swamp Rabbit 5K race. I use "race" loosely because I won't be racing. When I run it is more like a middle-aged jaunt. My best mile is at 9:05 and my best 3 mile run is 33 minutes so there are no awards waiting for me at any finish line. However, signing up for this event has helped me find new motivation to exercise and keep my commitment to God.
Pastoral ministry has taught me that when someone doesn't think their actions based on a commitment are making a difference in the situation they face, it impacts the commitment and always results in the cessation of the behaviors that ultimately can help solve the problem. You see, the Enemy of your soul never attacks your commitment directly. He always seeks to make you think that regardless of what you do, it won't matter.
What we do matters. It matters a great deal. The life of Jesus teaches us that our actions born out of a heart of love and a commitment to obedience do matter. You don't have to listen to the defeating lies of the Enemy. Expressed love always changes the hearts of others. The change may be imperceptibly small but change will come.
I still don't like to run and find the hardest distance to travel is the 10 feet from my chair to the front door. However, I have found new motivation for my commitment to God. I am going to go race in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. What follows that is unknown to me. What will motivate me then is unknown to me. I have learned that I need to keep finding new motivation each day and that the Holy Spirit will be right here with me to give me the strength I need to follow Jesus.
Life is probably a lot more complicated than we would like. The challenges we face are real. The temptation to give up on your kids, your spouse, your neighbor, co-worker or church is real. Find new motivation from the heart of God today. If any week is a good week to find that motivation, it is Holy Week. Jesus believes in you and is sending His Holy Spirit to give you strength for one more day so don't give up!
It's time for me to go run.