Motivation

         Having a strong urge or motivation to do a thing for God does not necessarily mean that it is God’s will—even if it’s a really good thing. For instance, David wanted to build a house for a dwelling place for the ark of God, yet God told him in II Samuel 7:6-7 that He had never lived in a house up to that day and had never asked for one. This strong desire to build God a house seemed commendable, but God did not let him carry through with it. Instead, God chose to establish a house for Himself (vs. 11) in His timing through David’s son Solomon. Solomon said in one of his proverbs, “No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!”  (Proverbs 25:3, NLT). When the idea of building a house popped up, David was musing out loud about the fact that he lived in a cedar house while the ark of God resided in a tent (II Sam. 7:2). Whatever David’s motivation for wanting to build God a house, God quickly and clearly addressed David’s desire by telling him no; however, deciding where and how God would have us to serve is not always so readily apparent. How often I’ve longed for an audible answer when I am wrestling with how and where to serve Him. In the past when I’ve been asked to serve in various capacities, I have sometimes operated out of a sense of guilt instead of a call, wondering how I could NOT do something small for God when He’s done so much for me? I am learning to listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit residing in me and allow God’s Word to direct me toward learning what is God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NASB). That’s where I want to dwell.