Motivated by Love…
MOTIVATED BY LOVE: A LESSON FROM HUNTING SEASON
There are many reasons I love fall, but one of them is because it is the beginning of hunting season. This is the first time in a couple years that I have been able to slow down to even think about deer hunting now that Abby and I are both done with seminary. I was gathering up everything I needed to get ready for the season and I kept saying to myself, “man, I’ve got a lot to do to get ready.” The motivation to get it all together had to be “dusted off.”
When I was hunting every weekend, all of this seemed like no effort. The stands were out, my climber was ready, my spots were either cut or planted, guns and bows were sighted in, the cameras were out, and the clothes were ready to be baptized in “scent away.”
What was the difference between then and now? Well of course I had more time then, but the true reason was because I was way more motivated to hunt. All of that effort seemed like nothing when I was motivated to achieve this goal of putting some meat in the freezer and getting the bucks I’m after.
I was reminded of a simple truth. I’m always more motivated to make efforts towards what I love and value. If I really love hunting, it’s easier to be motivated to make an effort to prepare for hunting and to go. Furthermore, if we really love hunting, it’s easier to keep going hunting even when we haven’t had success.
Jesus said, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
What we love and value in our hearts will get our greatest amount of effort, discipline, and perseverance. This is true in many parts of our lives, but how true is this in our walk with Jesus?
If Jesus is our treasure, it means that we love him! If we love Jesus, our hearts will make effort and discipline to seek Him. If we love Jesus, our hearts will ultimately persevere to continue to seek Him even when we fall short.
Our effort and discipline don’t save us, but our faith in Jesus grows into a love for Jesus, and a love for Jesus fuels us to persevere with effort and discipline to seek the one we love!
