Why Do You Do The Things You Do?

have you ever been asked that question? "why do you do the things you do?" i'm sure it's a question we as Christians would welcome so that we could share the Gospel with our non-Christian friends, right? well, could you answer it? could you really say, the reason for all this is God?

when you wake up in the morning, do you thank God that you're still alive? when you eat your breakfast or put on your clothes, do you worship Him for being Your Great Provider? is everything you do reflective of a God-centered life?

that's the problem with this world. independence and self-reliance are synonymous. if you are truly independent, then do you need God?

this week, i'm going through Titus 3:1-2~ "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men". after sunday, when i chose this passage to reflect on throughout the week, i couldn't remember my reason for choosing it. the passage no longer seemed to apply. i could feel my prideful spirit stepping up and saying, like the rich man, "all these i have kept" (Matthew 19:20).

only after talking to a friend just a few minutes ago about what God has been teaching us, did God remind me of the real reason for all these works:

bskballangel123 right now i'm in Titus and i'm just going through a chapter a week. this week's was Titus 3:1-2~ Paul telling Titus how to build up the body of Christ, how to remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities...and whatnot. but i guess more than that. because sometimes i get so action-oriented that i forget the reason for what i do. that in all things i was created for the glory of God, to honor Him when i submit to my elders, when i'm obedient to my parents, when i do good in my community, when i love my brothers and sisters and humble myself before them.

i'm constantly reminded, day-to-day, that it's the grace of God that saved me. in high school, i was self-disciplined to the point of legalism and i thought i could pay back God for what He did, or that He didn't love me because i continued to sin. but God freed us from that bondage. even though we are all sinners, He loves us and it is only through His Son's perfect sacrifice that we are saved.

but i guess more than that...it's that when i do things, when i speak or act or think, i do it all for Him because my very life was God-given, my identity is in Christ. i don't do things anymore to please others or to make sure i am seen/viewed a certain way but i do things because i want to please God my Father, because i love Him, and because i am so grateful that He has blessed me and chosen me to be His daughter.

bskballangel123 it's easy to get caught up in the works or the ministry and forget why we're doing everything in the first place. it's important to prepare your heart for anything and everything, thanking God for opportunities, for gifts, for passion, and giving Him ALL the glory.

so, why do you do the things you do? are you serving in church out of obligation or because you love Christ? brothers and sisters, God doesn't need us to serve our church. He doesn't need us to do anything. we are His creation. He could use any one of us to fulfill His purpose.

but the things is, we should want to serve our God. we should want to please Him and use the opportunities we have to glorify Him.

God blessed us mightily. may we praise the Father who gives and takes away.

in Christ alone,
Andrea