I’m in the middle of a Bible Study of the book of Colossians. It’s what I’m using for my morning devotional time from the Women Living Well Ministries (just to give proper credit). We are in chapter 3 right now.

In the commentary of this study, Courtney Joseph Fallick, the author, writes about Jesus being the motivation for all we do. That jumped out at me. She was referencing vs 17 – “And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (ESV)

You know, I’m a big believer in gratitude. It’s important to start and end your day with a spirit of gratitude. There’s always something to be thankful for, even on the most difficult days.

But Fallick’s commentary talking about Jesus being our motivation for all we do puts a different spin on how we approach our day.

Motivation can be defined as “having a strong reason to act or accomplish something.” (from Dictionary.com).

I’m one who will pray for God to guide me in my steps, and to want to be walking the path He has set before me. But has Jesus been my motivation for my actions? For all I am doing that day?

It says later on in chapter 3 of Colossians, verse 23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…” (ESV). That familiar verse now reads a bit differently when I couple it with motivation and finding my reason for doing what I’m doing.

It goes beyond the fad several years back of WWJD (What would Jesus do). It’s stopping, and thinking, and praying, and asking if my motivation for doing whatever I’m doing is really for Jesus? Are my thoughts and words from God or am I going along with the crowd, gossiping, or sinning, or walking in a direction that is away from where Jesus wants me?

With my writing, is my motivation to put out a book or have a story in Chicken Soup for the Soul about glory for me, or glory for God? What is my strong reason to accomplish what I’m working on?

The word “motivation” just puts a different light on these verses about working for the Lord and doing things in the name of Jesus.

What’s your motivation? How do we differentiate what’s for man and what’s for God? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Let’s encourage one another.