Consider Your Motives

Author: Lisa Vaught

1 John 5:14 CSB—This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

I have served the Lord alongside Chris in some form of ministry for over 30 years. I would love to say it was all joyful; however, the truth is my attitude has not always been one of joy. Before you judge me too quickly, let me tell you that there have been many rough patches in the journey of ministry – patches of doubt, fear, rejection, slander, confusion, misunderstandings, and difficulties.

I am very aware of the scripture in James 1 that tells me to “Consider it a great joy...whenever you experience various trials.” I believe that wholeheartedly, and I always come to that conclusion. I also discover that God has allowed trials to teach and grow me. It’s just in the thick of things that I sometimes have difficulty seeing the blessing in the midst of the struggle. Come on now, be honest with yourself. You know you have been there, too.

Three times on our ministry path, God has chosen to relocate us to another church in another community, and this last time in another state. Every time God would show us that change was coming, we wanted to know all the answers to all the questions: When? Where? Why? Which direction? How? On one specific occasion of confusion, I found myself telling God, “Could you just write the answer on the wall already?” Making reference to a time in the Bible when God sent a hand to write a message on a wall.

Seriously, wouldn’t it be nice if God would send a skywriting plane to write us a message in the beautiful blue sky when we want direction? Or how about a nice letter in the mailbox from God laying out the plan for us in plain English with His royal stamp of approval? Better yet, how about a quick text message, “Hey, it’s God, do THIS, you silly human!”

In hindsight, I’m thankful that I didn’t get the writing on the wall since the only time I know about that such a mysterious thing occurred as a message from God was when the message recipient’s death was foretold because he, King Belshazzar of Babylon, had been so disrespectful to God that Belshazzar was being wiped off the face of the Earth.

What was my motive for wanting to hear from God? I wanted to make sure we were following the right path. I didn’t want to be on any journey God wasn’t directing. “It was a good motive,” wouldn’t you say? Why, then, did God choose to wait to reveal His plan? Well, the waiting must have been part of the plan.

Let’s look at the key verse for today in 1 John 5:14, which says, “This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

First, notice we can have confidence that God hears us when we ask. Just go ahead and rest assured that God’s ears are always open to hearing our prayers.

However, notice some very crucial words in this scripture: according to His Will. It was God’s Will for Chris and our family to move to Jackson, Missouri; however, it was not in His Will for us to know that until His perfect timing. Why? We must have had some learning to do, some sort of preparation that was in His Will before the revelation was given to us.

God hears us seeking Him, but He wants us to surrender to His Will. My motive had to be more than seeking peace in my fear, answers to my questions, guidance in decision-making, and even encouragement for my husband and me. Although those were great reasons to seek God, the most important motive must be to SURRENDER to HIS WILL.

As you go through this time of prayer and fasting and through this year seeking to hear the voice of God, ask yourself, “What is my motive?” Are you seeking peace in a time of fear? That’s a good motive. Are you seeking answers to your questions about faith? That’s a good motive. Are you seeking guidance in a decision that needs to be made? That’s a good motive. Are you seeking to find encouragement for yourself or to share with others? That’s a good motive. However, first and foremost, let your main motive be to surrender to His Will. It’s then, and only then, you will hear His voice, even if it just says, “Wait, Child, until it’s my perfect timing, and learn from me while you’re waiting.”

Reflection

1. Why do you want to hear from God?

2. Are you fully surrendered to His Will?