Why do I do what I do when I do the right thing?
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contemplative
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This is a heavily paraphrased/revised version of what Doug Lucas posted on a recent Brigada-Today see <www.brigada.org>. I share it here, because it largely agrees with what I believe.
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"Why do I do what I do when I do the right thing?"
Maslow argued that it was self-actualization and the motivation for leadership.
But why would that motivate someone to leave the home and family he or she loves, to go far, far away to meet people that sometimes could care less he or she is there? Maslow was out to lunch when it comes to the gospel. Real missionary types are committed to something that goes beyond "finding oneself".
Real missionaries probably will agree with Paul the Missionary:
"Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. He died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We plead with you you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (II Cor. 5:14-20)
Your identity, yes your "self" (i.e. soul) aligns with the real Savior when you are thus motivated. Who you are submits to the I Am who I Am. He is suddenly more supreme than anything else in the whole universe. Sure we care about being fulfilled. But at the end of the day, it's not really all about us. It's about Him. That's why you bought airfare to parts unknown.
A FINAL WORD OF CAUTION: The former is true because Christ was crucified. This is essentially an invitation to suffer with Him so that He might live among you. "I am crucified with Christ, therefore, I no longer live, but Christ lives through me. ..." Galatians 2:22.
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"Why do I do what I do when I do the right thing?"
Maslow argued that it was self-actualization and the motivation for leadership.
But why would that motivate someone to leave the home and family he or she loves, to go far, far away to meet people that sometimes could care less he or she is there? Maslow was out to lunch when it comes to the gospel. Real missionary types are committed to something that goes beyond "finding oneself".
Real missionaries probably will agree with Paul the Missionary:
"Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. He died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We plead with you you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (II Cor. 5:14-20)
Your identity, yes your "self" (i.e. soul) aligns with the real Savior when you are thus motivated. Who you are submits to the I Am who I Am. He is suddenly more supreme than anything else in the whole universe. Sure we care about being fulfilled. But at the end of the day, it's not really all about us. It's about Him. That's why you bought airfare to parts unknown.
A FINAL WORD OF CAUTION: The former is true because Christ was crucified. This is essentially an invitation to suffer with Him so that He might live among you. "I am crucified with Christ, therefore, I no longer live, but Christ lives through me. ..." Galatians 2:22.
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