TODAY’S VERSE: COLOSSIANS 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
REVELATION:
What motivate you to do what you do? We all have motives in everything that we do. Motives are the engines that drive this vehicle called life. In my lifetime I have found that our motives are always connected to pleasing people, ourselves or God.
When I was in elementary school, I never really understood the importance of school. The main reason I went to school was to please my parents. I did my school work, not because I was eager to learn but because I wanted to please my parents by getting good grades. I did the minimal work just to reach their standards. And this was not just with school work, it was with everything. I was big at making my parents be proud of me. I did everything that I thought would please them.
I remember one time I was eating lunch with my paternal grandfather and he said something that since then has stuck on me throughout my life. My paternal grandfather didn't talk much, but when he did speak, it was something important. So, that day I was eating lunch with him, and he asked me, how I was doing in school and just life in general. I will always remember the advice he gave me at the end of our conversation, he said "You know Norman; everything you do is not just for your parents." As a young boy that sentence stuck to my heart, even though it didn't become practical in my life until years later.
The understanding of my grandfather's wisdom came to me on senior year in High School. It was Senior Awards Night at Amherst High School. I was excited about this night, because my parents received a letter saying that I was getting an award that night. I was excited, not so much because I was getting the award, but because I was going to make my parents proud. At the time, my father was absent, so it was just me and my mother who attended this occasion. At the time, my mother was working two jobs to support the family, so she warned me in advance that she will not be able to stay through the entire event. I agreed and understood, but I hoped that my award will be presented before she left.
The awards night began and it was 30 minutes later when I was called. The announcer announced "And now for International Students Club Award for 1993 goes to Norman Mfuko, for dedication to helping the school community be aware and share its diversity." My heart was racing and I was nervous, but I gathered myself and I stood up and went and got my award. When I got back to my sit, I was so proud to hand that award to my mom. As she smiled,I was so excited, but at the same time I wished my father was there to see it, after all they were the reasons for my hard work. Shortly, my mother whispered "Okay, I have to go". I said "alright".
After my mother left the auditorium, for some reason I felt little empty, as I looked around the auditorium I saw each student with their parents. But, it didn't bother me, until when I was caught by surprise, when I heard my name again. I went up there, got my award, but when I got back to my sit, the award didn't mean anything; my parents weren’t there to see it. That was not the only lonely trip I had to make up to the stage that night, I won two other awards. When the award night was over I took my awards said thanks to some teachers and went and wait for a bus to get home. On that bus stop as I waited for the bus I looked at the awards and the words that my paternal grandparent had said on my early years, came to my mind "You know Norman, everything you do is not just for your parents". That day I found myself asking, if it is not for my parents then it is for whom?
My answer was, if it is not for them, then it is for me. Everything I do, it has to be for me from now on. I carried that attitude with me as I started my first year in college that following fall. With many challenges of paying for school, school assignments and helping a single mother, I always found strength knowing ultimately this is for my own good. I picked a major that I knew it was challenging but knew it will put me in good place financially; I stuck with it and finished college in 1999. On that graduation day, I was so proud of myself, I made it! Grandfather, was right, everything I do is not just for my parents. But, sadly I didn't know it is not for me either!
Shortly, after I graduated from college I got a job that I enjoy. I enjoy what I am doing, but there was still emptiness. I turned to nightlife to fill that emptiness that I had. I found myself without purpose, whatever I did, I worked at it without really seeing the real reasons. I worked just because I enjoyed what I did and because I had to pay bills. I was a father, just because I had a child. I was a son just because I had parents. My whole existence was just because I existed! So, I found myself once again wondering why do I do, what I do. But, GOD!! Is an awesome GOD!! His mercy, His love, His involvement in my life is what made me realize it is for Him I need to do all things.
Dear Reader, I have a question for you. What motivate you to do what you do? My grandfather told me, it is not for my parents I should do things. I wish he had told me though, for whom should I do things for. I found it the hard way that it is not for people, nor for me but for God. Today's verse tells us "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." I can testify, by doing so it gives purpose to life. I work at my job differently now. Now I am a father with a purpose. I am husband with a purpose. A friend with a purpose. A son with a purpose. A brother with a purpose. A purpose to glorify God. People's
standards have limits, but God's standards are something that no one can match. If you do all things to God's standards, watch out! And see yourself move from good to greatness. With God, sky is the limit! The place to start is to trust in Him. All you have to do is confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will find yourself doing things with a great purpose!
PRAYER:
My Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Love and creating me with a purpose. I know, at times I do things to please people on this earth and that often lead me in a wrong paths.
May the work that I do and the way I do it,
bring hope, life, and courage to all that come in contact with me today and to glorify You. In Jesus' Precious Name, I pray. Amen.
APPLICATION:
This Sunday, as always my Pastor Preached a sermon that I found very helpful on making this topic practical on your life.
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