Wrong motives

So often I live to serve myself rather than serving the Creator of the World.

James 4.1-17

Reference: v.3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (NIV Bible)

Explore: At the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit ’07 I heard a guy speak about our ‘Shadow Mission’. This Shadow Mission was the deep desire we have for our lives; what we would really live for if we had little morals, no conscience and limited faith. It’s that which we would love to strive for but which may not be holy or Godly. Everyone has a Shadow Mission. This gentleman was encouraging us to recognise what our Shadow Mission was so we were aware of it and able to keep it at bay as it would not fulfil God’s purpose for our lives, only our own selfish ambition.
This verse in James reminded me of the Shadow Mission. It’s that which I would love to do however it would hold the wrong motive for my life. My Shadow Mission would support my success here on earth however it would not encourage my desire to live for all eternity with my Saviour.

Application: So often I desire to follow wrong motives. I justify gossip as a process of debriefing, I wipe away laziness by focussing on the time where I was busy, and I stay task-orientated in the hope that people will think well of me for what I have accomplished. Wrong motives to build up my own self here on earth instead of God’s purpose for all eternity. I am so fortunate that the grace of God allows me to enter into His presence time and time again to rectify my wrong and strive to live a more Godly life.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I work towards my Shadow Mission and when I forget that my life’s purpose is to worship You. Amen.