Father, help us to keep focused on you.
Often when talk about motivation, the examples we are given tend to revolve around sport. This even has a biblical pretext in that the Apostle Paul used the same examples. (1 Cor 9: 24-27)
In some ways sport is the ideal example. People who undertake in sports often do so to become better at it. They want to learn. Anyone who can't hit a golf ball very well is unlikely to continue playing the game. Sometimes we think we know everything about life, and sometimes we miss the obvious, hence the example of something a little more distant.
But here's an example that is very current to me at the moment; after a gap of 17 or so years, I've decided to take up skiing again. I was never very good at it before, and I've almost had to start at the very basics again. I want to get better because I want to get good enough to enjoy the fells near our house in all weathers (but I especially like snow) and I want to get a little fitter than I am now (too much time sitting in front of the computer!)
So, in order to do this activity I really would like to improve, because
In the Apostle Paul's example, the same can apply to our lives in Christ. First, why are we doing it? This is something that only the individual can answer. It may be because we accept that God exists, that he is all powerful and we need to please Him. It could be because we want to be better people in God's sight. It could be because we know of Jesus' resurrection and see this as the ultimate goal that is available to us. There could be any number of reasons, and it might be others (or even more than one). Let me know what you think.
So once we've decided to do something, how do we go about it?
With something like skiing, the first option is to get lessons from a qualified instructor. This is probably the best way to go about it (if there's an instructor handy). Jesus is our perfect instructor. His words and teachings are second to none. He describes himself as the master teacher (Matt 23:8).
If we don't have access to the teacher directly we may read their teaching written down in books, or these days watch videos, DVDs or online material. That's probably my preferred method while on my skiing refresher 'course'. The same applies to learning how to live our Christian lives. We can't see Jesus with us, or hear the words he speaks, but we can read about him, what he did and what he said, how he solved difficult situations, how he achieved his goals. Just as sports would be very boring if they were predictable, so a challenge in life keeps us on our toes. Looking at how others handle difficult terrain, deep snow or how to turn in a much easier and more refined fashion can help us if we copy them, so the same applies to how we copy Jesus.
The third option is self-help groups. These can be very beneficial for our support, but we need to make sure the group is following the right path. It's no good to go to a skiing group only to find that they've been teaching each other to wear their skis backwards. The same applies to our spiritual life. The group needs to have the ability to listen and understand the principles, or the group will be more of a hindrance than a benefit. Having the Bible to touch ground with is fundamental to Christian living. Without it we may be going no where fast. But if the group is going in the right direction, then the help, support and fellowship, camaraderie and enjoyment is fantastic.
Just as the Apostle Paul says
"Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." Phil 2:16
So, the question is:
are we trying to improve, going in the right direction or are we just going nowhere?