What are our real motives?

Matthew 6:1-4 (NLT) 6 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

     Have you ever asked yourself what is the real…deep down reasoning for why you’re doing something? I mean, sure it may be the right thing to do, but what is really your drive for doing it? Is it because of the spot light or attention it may bring you or is it because it’s pleasing to God? Possibly it’s the right thing to do and may even be pleasing to God, but are our real motives selfish or self-serving?

     Through my growth and deepening relationship with God, I’m learning to be completely honest with Him and myself. I mean, let’s be real…it’s not like He doesn’t know everything anyway, right? I’m also learning that my honesty is helping me to change and see who I really am and who I am becoming in Christ. I won’t lie and say that I always do the right thing, in fact I’m sure I fail more often than I even realize, but I’m striving to do what is right in every area of my life.

     Because of this I am also realizing that in the past, and sometimes maybe even currently, some of my true motives for doing things haven’t always been the most pure even when it felt like my heart was in the right place. Somewhere in there, was thrown in a desire to have someone notice that I was or am doing the right thing. Maybe a need for someone to tell me that I am a good person or that I am going above and beyond what they may do (I’m just keeping it real here!). Not in any particular situation or area, but in general, I guess maybe just wanting to be seen for my sincerity. I will say that I am thankful to God that even when I may not have had the purest of motives, prayerfully some people were still blessed.

     However, now, through prayer and gaining a more personal relationship with God, my desires are changing. My true heart’s desire is to please God and to do what I do for Him and His glory. Praying that I touch and impact any and all lives that I come in contact with, weather directly or indirectly. My love for God has seriously grown and I want to glorify Him in everything I do and if I’m blessed to be an inspiration to someone else…then that is just an added bonus, but I never want to seek the approval or applause of the world anymore.

     I realize there will be days where I am weak and stumble on wanting to be seen, but I honestly pray with all my heart that when I do I am honest with God and ask Him to purge me of that fleshly desire. Our goal here on earth is not to please man, not to seek approval or applause from people, but instead to walk a pure and motivated life for God. He is the one who holds our lives in His hands and who deserves our sincere actions and thoughts towards His kingdom and family!