From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
I came across another quote recently from retired Colorado Rockies’ manager, Clint Hurdle: “Motivation often comes after starting, not before. Action produces momentum.”
The common thinking when it comes to motivation seems to be that I need something to fire me up first and then I will feel the desire to take action, but Hurdle doesn’t see it that way.
The Bible teaches the same message.
I would add to Hurdle’s hypothesis that the need of the situation can also act as motivation to step into action.
For instance, listen to what the Bible says in James 2:15-17: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
I read my Bible every single morning when I wake up, whether I feel like it or not.
I have already decided the night before to ‘take action’ and therefore have my Bible sitting on my nightstand beside my bed, ready for use when the alarm goes off.
Motivation can be a bit of a finicky thing and doesn’t always appear at the time when we would like it.
That is why a predisposed disposition towards taking action is so vital.
The New Testament has two key words for ‘time’ with one meaning actual linear time in minutes, days, and months.
The other word, though, is best defined as a ‘season’ or an ‘opportune time’ and it can happen whether the situation is convenient or not.
It is all based on need.
When your child is throwing up in the middle of the night you get out of bed with the barf bucket whether you feel like it or not!
I encourage you to look around you this week for needs that can be met by your action, whether the timing is convenient or not.
