How important is doing the work God has called us to do?
We are God’s creative masterpiece, brought to life in Jesus Christ so we can do the great work he designed for us in the beginning. Whatever you do for people, give your best effort to please the Lord, knowing that the greatest reward comes from serving him. — Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:23–24 The Discussion Bible
Motivation is a powerful force. It gets us out of bed, pushes us through challenges, and gives us a sense of direction. But not all motivation is created equal—and not all motivation leads to something that truly satisfies. From a biblical perspective, motivation is more than just a mental nudge. It’s a reflection of our heart’s desires, our purpose, and ultimately, our relationship with God.
More Than Just a Feeling
We often think of motivation as something we either have or don’t have—like a fuel gauge that’s either full or empty. Actually, everyone is motivated all the time. Even when we’re “doing nothing,” we’re still choosing an action or inaction based on what we believe will bring satisfaction.
People are always doing something, even if it’s resting or avoiding something else. The question isn’t whether we’re motivated. Everybody is motivated for something gratifying. So the important question is: What are we motivated toward and why? Watching hours of television might feel like a lack of motivation, but in truth, it reflects a desire for comfort, escape, or rest. The real issue is whether our motivation aligns with something eternally meaningful.
Pleasing God
When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he said the most important motivations should be to love God and love people (Matthew 22:37). We should work on that, because the greatest force that most people seem to have is love for self. Satan holds that as his top priority, so that’s probably not a good idea.
Living to please God gives our lives direction and value. When he becomes the source and goal of our motivation, even mundane tasks take on eternal significance. However, knowing the specifics about what pleases God isn’t always easy. This is why we need to pray without ceasing, be open to whatever he might speak to our hearts, and meditate upon his Word. As we do that, we become more and more like him, and pleasing God is also pleasing ourselves.
When Motivation Fades
A letdown naturally follows finishing a big project. Maybe we should say it’s time to stop, take a deep breath, and prepare for the battle ahead. We see this pattern even in the creation story. After six days of creation, God rested. But he didn’t rest until after the work was complete.
We often want to rest in the middle of things, not just at the end. That’s why the concept of scheduled rest is so powerful: It’s a rhythm of rest in trust, not in laziness, always anticipating the work at hand. When our motivation fades after a job well done, that pause isn’t necessarily wrong—but it should be purposeful. Rest can refresh us and recalibrate our motives, especially when we invite God into the stillness.
The Bad Idea
Motivation alone isn’t inherently virtuous. People can be highly motivated to do evil. When God called him to preach to Nineveh, Jonah was motivated to run in the opposite direction. His reason? He didn’t want God to forgive the people he despised. After Nineveh repented, Jonah was angry—not because he failed, but because he succeeded, and it didn’t match his selfish expectations.
Likewise, Satan was motivated—not to serve, but to rebel. His motivation was independence from God. But even in rebellion, Satan unwittingly fulfills God’s purposes—reminding us that intent matters as much as action.
Desire, Hunger, and the Path to Action
Motivation is preceded by desire—a longing, a hunger for something more. When our hunger is directed toward God, we’re motivated in his direction, eager to follow his guidance. But if our desires are for something other than what God wants, our motivation leads us astray.
There’s a progression here: Desire leads to hunger that leads to motivation that leads to action. If our actions aren’t satisfying, we don’t need to change our diet or try to manipulate our motivation. We need God’s help to make our desires right, and then the right hunger, motivation, and action will follow.
Our Willingness
God won’t force his will on us. He invites us to choose him, and then he empowers us to follow through. This only happens when we’re willing to be led. True motivation isn’t just about having energy. It’s about having the right focus. That focus must begin with a sincere desire to be guided by God to have what he wants instead of what we otherwise might want.
Transformation
Motivation always leads to action, and action brings about change. The question is whether that change will be good or bad, lasting or fleeting, selfish or surrendered. Our choices reveal our hearts—and they leave a trail that leads back to our motivations.
Jesus taught that we know a tree by its fruit. Our lives will bear fruit—either for ourselves or for God’s Kingdom. If we want fruit that lasts, our motivation must be rooted in a deep desire to help others, not ourselves. In doing that, we become more like Christ and help ourselves.
Aligned with the Great Motivator
We all desire purpose, satisfaction, and meaning. But the fulfillment of that desire will only come when we are aligned with God. As we walk with the Great Motivator, our actions produce lasting results. Let us continually seek his wisdom, guidance, and presence, not just in our big goals, but in the daily motivations that drive our choices.
Motive for Rhyme
I wondered one day, with a pause and a frown,
Why some folks stay up while the rest settle down.
Are they lazy or lost? Are they wasting their days?
Or are motives just moving in curious ways?
We all have a hunger, though not always loud,
A whisper inside, not a shout in the crowd.
It pushes. It pulls. It can nudge or inspire.
But not every urge is a heavenly fire.
You might be inclined to sit on the couch,
To nap with a snack, with a blanket to slouch.
But that too is motion, a choice all the same—
So what is your motive? What ignites your flame?
The best kind of reason, a man said with love,
Is doing what pleases the Big God above.
Not fame, not a trophy, not worldly applause,
But loving and living for God and his cause.
To follow his whisper, his Spirit, his call,
Means tuning your heart to the softest of all.
He won’t grab your pen or drag you along,
But he’ll help when you ask and make you strong.
Sometimes when we finish a really big feat,
We feel kind of empty or tempted to cheat.
We pause and we sigh and we wonder what’s next.
That’s normal, not foolish, so don’t be too vexed.
Even God rested when his work was all done,
A world filled with life, the stars, and the sun.
His rest had a purpose, a rhythm, a beat.
It wasn’t escape or admitting defeat.
Not all motivation is noble or kind.
Some folks are just selfish or power-inclined.
Like Jonah who ran when he didn’t agree,
Or Satan, who wanted God’s throne and the key.
So check on your hunger, and look at desire,
Is it selfish ambition or holy fire?
Desire leads to hunger, and hunger to drive,
But make sure the journey keeps your faith alive.
You write and you work, and you dream and you do,
But the question is always: What’s guiding you?
Is it God who’s at work in your ink and your pen?
Or just ego and fear whispering, “When?”
To live with intention, to write with delight,
Let God guide your steps and your words every night.
For motivation that shines and forever will last,
Is rooted deeply in his truth and endures, steadfast.
So write when you’re weary, write when you’re bold,
Write stories of mercy and messages gold.
Always remember, through each struggle and climb,
The right kind of motive makes everything rhyme.
For many more open-ended discussion questions for almost every verse in the Bible, check out The Discussion Bible
We are God’s creative masterpiece, brought to life in Jesus Christ so we can do the great work he designed for us in the beginning. Whatever you do for people, give your best effort to please the Lord, knowing that the greatest reward comes from serving him. — Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:23–24 The Discussion Bible
Motivation is a powerful force. It gets us out of bed, pushes us through challenges, and gives us a sense of direction. But not all motivation is created equal—and not all motivation leads to something that truly satisfies. From a biblical perspective, motivation is more than just a mental nudge. It’s a reflection of our heart’s desires, our purpose, and ultimately, our relationship with God.
More Than Just a Feeling
We often think of motivation as something we either have or don’t have—like a fuel gauge that’s either full or empty. Actually, everyone is motivated all the time. Even when we’re “doing nothing,” we’re still choosing an action or inaction based on what we believe will bring satisfaction.
People are always doing something, even if it’s resting or avoiding something else. The question isn’t whether we’re motivated. Everybody is motivated for something gratifying. So the important question is: What are we motivated toward and why? Watching hours of television might feel like a lack of motivation, but in truth, it reflects a desire for comfort, escape, or rest. The real issue is whether our motivation aligns with something eternally meaningful.
Pleasing God
When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he said the most important motivations should be to love God and love people (Matthew 22:37). We should work on that, because the greatest force that most people seem to have is love for self. Satan holds that as his top priority, so that’s probably not a good idea.
Living to please God gives our lives direction and value. When he becomes the source and goal of our motivation, even mundane tasks take on eternal significance. However, knowing the specifics about what pleases God isn’t always easy. This is why we need to pray without ceasing, be open to whatever he might speak to our hearts, and meditate upon his Word. As we do that, we become more and more like him, and pleasing God is also pleasing ourselves.
When Motivation Fades
A letdown naturally follows finishing a big project. Maybe we should say it’s time to stop, take a deep breath, and prepare for the battle ahead. We see this pattern even in the creation story. After six days of creation, God rested. But he didn’t rest until after the work was complete.
We often want to rest in the middle of things, not just at the end. That’s why the concept of scheduled rest is so powerful: It’s a rhythm of rest in trust, not in laziness, always anticipating the work at hand. When our motivation fades after a job well done, that pause isn’t necessarily wrong—but it should be purposeful. Rest can refresh us and recalibrate our motives, especially when we invite God into the stillness.
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