SIDEBAR: Motivation for the Long Haul

So send I you to labor unrewarded,

To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown,

To bear rebuke, to suffer scorn and scoffing,

So send I you to toil for me alone.

As much as we might admire the courage of that hymn, we ought to question its biblical realism. To labor alone, without reward or encouragement, is more the theology of the High Plains drifter than the biblical Christian. Jesus, Paul, Titus, Timothy, Elijah, Moses, Joshua–to name a few–needed support. They found it in their common life with others of the same vision.

Yes, some callings are more lonely and difficult than others, but loneliness and futility are not the earmarks of the Holy Spirit’s power through us. What makes us think we can maintain a high level of motivation all alone, when God did not design either individuals or the church for that purpose?

When launching a ministry, we do well to ask: Who supports me? Who has affirmed my gift for this ministry? Who has urged me to go in this direction? Who is willing to go with me? Who will guard me against myself? The fastest way to burn out is to tackle a tough task alone.

The following are some practical building blocks from which to construct a motivation foundation.

1. Invest in an affirmative outlook. Like love, motivation needs to be given away before it can be received. Practice giving confidence and support to those around you. Too often, we develop a degenerative spiral of griping and fault finding. This is cancerous to the freedom of the Spirit.

Break this cycle, whether in the ministry or in the family, catching people doing something right and rewarding them for it. Invest in an affirmative outlook, and the greatest educational force known to humanity–imitation–will be unleashed.

2. Fuel the fire with like-minded people. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17) There is something gregarious about human beings who are excited about something. They form clubs: T-birds clubs, motorcycle clubs, photography clubs, ad infinitum. When motivated by an idea or project, people publish newsletters, form societies, and write books.

3. Teach people how to clear up conflicts. Nothing is more destructive to drive and purpose than the grit and friction of conflict. Conflict saps energy, stifles freedom, and undermines motivation. Deal with conflict quickly, especially if it involves you personally, by repentance or forgiveness, so freedom can return to your life.

4. Be alert to deficit motivators. Be careful that the enterprise is not being fueled by the wrong motivation. God may instill righteous anger for a time, but “the anger of man does not bring about the righteousness of God.” Beware of a crusading spirit on a single issue, which may leave people gasping.

5. Keep people as close as possible to front-line issues. Involvement in corporate and private prayer is frontlives like direct involvement in the basic spiritual issues. Help people see how their work is connected to evangelism. Keep their hands in the reproductive process of making disciples. Remember that the kingdom of God is in the hearts of men and women, and to keep our motivation, all of us must stay close to that noble work.