What Motivates Us to Serve God?

Read 2 Timothy 1:6-12

Being a true Christian has several distinguishing characteristics. One of them is a heart that consistently serves God, especially in suffering. It is simple to serve God when we are living comfortably or when devoting time and money to service is not a major concern. I recall being hesitant to pursue volunteer work at church since I had little a budget to spare. God reminded me that all I have to do is do my part for His Kingdom, and He will take care of the rest.

What motivates us to serve God? Do we volunteer because we expect anything in return? Do we only volunteer if the cost of our sacrifice is minimal? Serving God for our own gain is more about serving ourselves than it is about serving God. Remember Job’s shouting and whining to God? In the end, God vindicates and blesses him because he talked to God consistently during his pain. Yes, he argues with God, but he also talks to Him and expresses all of his feelings to Him. Job’s suffering encourages him to pray more and draws him closer to God.

Suffering will expose our spiritual relationship with God. It will disclose our heart’s intentions toward God. A true Christian does not just pray to God to take them out of their pain or to put them in a better circumstance. Rather, they pray to God for the courage to confront their difficulties and the strength to continue to impact the lives of others through them. May our motivation in serving God is to grow deeper in our relationship with him and to fan into flame the gift of God.