Our heart motivation matters. And, isn't it hard sometimes to even figure out why we do what we do, or say what we say? Do we even know ourselves that well? We are a mixed bag. I am a mixed bag, complicated with "good" and "bad" motives factoring into most everything I do.
God cares about our hearts and why we are acting or saying certain things. "...for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts." 1 Chron. 28:9
What does the Lord see when He searches and understands my heart, my thoughts and my motives?
Even in prayer, the most "private" of all worlds, our motivation counts. "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives..."James 4
It matters to God if there is a hint in my heart of selfish ambition, vain conceit, or pride. It matters to God if unforgiveness or doubt are lingering behind a request or an action. God cares about our hearts.
I want my children to obey, of course. In love, we are attempting to train and discipline them to obey us rightly. But, what I really want from them is trust. I want them to trust me, and my love for them, so completely that they can't help but obey. ...they want to obey. I want them to WANT to obey. I believe this is the God's Father heart toward me, too.
When I serve, when I pray, when I write, when I sing... it matters to God the state of my heart. What does He see there? Why do I do what I do? Motive matters.
Father teach me to trust you so completely that I want what you want! Teach me to know my heart more fully and to surrender to Your will more genuinely and deeply. Father, purify me and make me keenly aware of my motives... the state of my heart.
