If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing...(1 Cor. 13:2b)

Being motivated truly seems to be a mystery. Some have it; some don't. Without motivation, you can't accomplish your God given goals or fulfill your God given potential for living.

• Without motivation, you run carelessly and without enthusiasm.
• Motivation determines your strength, your commitment, and your enthusiasm toward life.

Gas in the Tank

Motivation is what drives us. The word "motivate" means "a moving cause; an inner drive, impulse or intention that causes a person to do something or act in a certain way."

• Motivation is to a Christian what gas is to a tank; it gives the energy needed to reach the destination.
• Motivation can't be inherited. It's not passed from parent to child. It doesn't derive from family accomplishments.
• Motivation differs with each person. You may be highly motivated, while other siblings may have no motivation at all.

Biblical Models of Motivation

The Bible contains many examples of men and women who were motivated to accomplish their God given goals.

• God motivated Abraham by challenging him to trust in the vision that he - an old man - would become the Father of Many Nations.
• God given dreams motivated Joseph, causing him to endure terrible trials, misunderstandings and disillusionment before the dreams ever came to pass.
• The vision of the Promised Land motivated Joshua to fight for what was set before him.
• Caleb was motivated to seeming impossible odds to go where others refused to venture.
• Jesus, too, was motivated by a clear purpose and destiny: "Jesus...for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame..." Hebrews 12:2.
• Paul was motivated by the prize of the upward call of God, by the knowledge that he had a mission to accomplish. "I count all things but loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ..." Philippians 3:8.
• Timothy was motivated by the apostolic influence of his spiritual father, Paul, and by an understanding of what it meant to live in the light of eternity.