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John 3:16 – Motivation
Motivation is simple – it is what makes us move. Motivation is complex – at least on a deeper level. Motivation to do what is right and good – or simply what is necessary – often has to overcome fear, self-doubt, personal inadequacies, humility, and many other factors. That is when it becomes complex.
In life we are faced with choices. That is an simple and obvious truth. But a choice is often filled with complex issues. Choosing self or others is almost always complex. Being motivated for self is easier to understand and accept. That’s why I ate two bowls of banana pudding the other night…. And will again! Being motivated for others…now that’s where it gets complicated.
For example, a certain parent-child booster organization needed someone to volunteer to be elected president. No one stepped up. Both personal pleas and indirect requests were placed before the entire organization. No one was motivated enough to accept the job. The night came for the elections…and the void for the presidency still remained glaringly open.
As a legal entity, rules, regulations and laws must be followed. By-laws exist and they are what rule the organization. The by-laws call for a president. No one knew what do to. Someone suggested, “I’ll call some people.” The purpose was to see if they could be motivated enough to serve. Of course they had to be called because they were not present at the meeting. A couple of names were suggested, and it became obvious that they could not serve for various reasons.
The need still existed.
If no president can be found, if the executive board cannot be filled, the thought suggested was – possible dissolution of the organization.
A father hesitantly, with great reluctance, raises his hand. “I can’t allow this to happen to my child,” he said. “I’ll serve.”
What was his motivation? Was it simple or complex? Was it self or others? This father will serve, not because he wants the position but because he loves his child. Love is the greatest motivation. Love is both simple and complex. It can often cut through the tangled webs of self, fear, doubt, personal inadequacies, humility and many other factors.
Let’s look at another example, a divine one. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).
There are four characters in this simple, yet complex, verse.
1—God – The Father’s motivation is given – He loved the world. Our heavenly Father did not give His Son out of self-motivation, not because He wanted something from us; but to save us. Dare I say, serve us.
2—The Son – Jesus’ motivation is not listed. It can be inferred that it likewise is love: love for His Father; love for the needy world. Jesus’ motivation was to serve those whom He loved. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see Jesus’ reluctance. Reluctance is not necessarily a drawback. Reluctance can be both complex and simple. Reluctance can make us more confident because we have examined the choices and found only one.
Jesus did not want to die.
Jesus did want to serve.
Not my will but Yours be done (Matthew 26:39).
Three times Jesus says the same thing (Matthew 26:44).
Not my will but Yours be done
If Jesus had said this only one time, I can “hear” Him having a tone of victory. But I do not “hear” Jesus shouting, “NOT MY WILL BY YOURS BE DONE! No, I “hear” personal resignation. I “hear” reluctance. I “hear” Jesus sighing, whispering, especially the third time – “not my will but yours be done….”
Do you think Jesus’ reluctance helped Him see all the more clearly beyond the immediate so as to see there was only one choice? Don’t misunderstand when I speak of Jesus’ reluctance. He wasn’t reluctant to obey and to serve. He was reluctant in how He had to serve. But love overcame self.
3—The Believer – If I am ever looking for motivation beyond myself, I need look no further than John 3:16. With the Father I see the motivation of love. With the Son I see the unstated motivation to serve. In both I see love and service. I hope I see me.
4—The Unbeliever – He is not specifically stated, but his presence is implied. He is one who does not believe, and therefore perishes. He is one who is not motivated by God’s motivation.
The belief that saves is a belief that obeys – He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)
Motivation that includes love often includes trust. Do we trust God enough to be motivated by His love for us? Can that overcome our fear, self-doubt, personal inadequacies, humility, and many other factors?
When the father accepted the responsibility to become president, he felt both the burden of responsibility and the proven assurance that he did indeed love his child. He had to love her to do something that insane!
When the father accepted, immediately people assured him he was not alone, they would help, all would be in it together. Knowing that, will help him continue to be motivated. That, and knowing he is doing this out of love.
May we all be motivated, and may we all know that we are not in this alone. We have each other – and more importantly we have God.
May we all be motivated to move and do what God has gifted us to do. May we all do what needs to be done, whether it is simple or complex.
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