Motives

Blogging has been more scattered lately. So much to do and little time to do it in. I have been reading through 1 Chronicles and having a very hard time getting through. Here and there are bits of wisdom but most of the time I couldn't wait to finish the book. This morning I was excited that I was completing 1 Chronicles then read David's words to his son Solomon. "acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts." As I read these words I couldn't help but think how pitiful I can be sometimes. How my motives are not what they should be. Do I have a wholehearted devotion and a willing mind to serve the Lord? Sometimes I feel like "really, again Lord", sometimes I just don't want to do it. Yet it is good to be reminded that the Lord searches my heart and knows my motives. Remembering this can help to keep our motives in check.

I think so often in life we pick and choose what parts of our life we will allow God to be a part of. Maybe not always consciously, but we do it anyhow. Serving God wholeheartedly also means that you are allowing him to lead your life, every aspect of it. I've been so busy these past few weeks that I confess I have allowed myself to take the lead in some areas, thus making me more stressed and frustrated. Then when God pulls some things together I go "whew, thanks Lord." When will we ever learn. Allow him the lead in the first place and stop trying to take it back.

Watch the following video - how many times is this you?



"O Lord know my heart, and know my anxious thoughts, if there is any offensive way in me in the way everlasting." God knows all our motives, all our thoughts - allow him to expose them in your life and to shape and refine you. His work is always good. When he shows you areas in your life that he wants to shape, even areas that you detest, remember that he still loves you - that is why he is always working on each and every one of us. As long as we keep sitting on the chair and making our own decisions we are keeping God from shaping us. Don't want the shaping? Afraid of what he will show you? Remember the bible verse "there is nothing hidden that will not be exposed." God knows it all anyway and he wants you to know that you are a forgiven and loved son/daughter. He wants to sit on the stool and make the decisions in your life. He will do a much better job than you and me.