Recently, I had my first experience with a cardiologist. My family history has a pattern of heart issues, and so in an effort to understand my current status, I had entered the doctor’s office hopeful of some guidance.
It was a professional setting with “professional” professionals. I found my room easy enough, got my pulse and blood pressure checked, as usual. The next step–a first for me–was the EKG. My EKG was performed with excellence. The cardiologist doctor walked in with his white coat and began a pleasant conversation. He shared insights, discussed my EKG results, and provided a plan for maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle.
While he was talking, I was getting more and more motivated. The environment supported it. The ambiance communicated it. And so, I embraced it. The next step was as easy as 1-2-3.
However, as I walked out of the office–the professional and clean medical office–and entered my normal environment, the smells of normal life, the sights of savory meals, and all the triggers opposite of what was just recommended flooded full force. No longer was there a doctor in his white coat giving instructions and making it sound easy. It was me against the world of food and drink temptations.
It was in the experience of this dichotomy that I thought about how much this applies to the Christian life.
How many times have we been at church, a Bible study, or even our own quiet time feeling a great sense of motivation? The environment is right, the content is clear, and next steps seem as easy as 1-2-3. However, when we leave those environments and we’re faced with the normal everyday tempestuous environments we lose motivation.
If we’re honest, it can happen a lot.
What’s the Way Forward?
Internal motivation coupled with external accountability.
Internal motivation is…
- Found and/or fostered by understanding your purpose as a Christian. Our purpose is understood by knowing our values.
- We understand our values by looking to God’s Word. The Bible informs and directs. Some might argue they already have purpose, but remain unmotivated. My response would be to try narrowing the focus of your purpose. Reflect on the biblical values that align with your spiritual gifts. These are the aspects you resonate with as you read God’s Word.
- Once we understand our purpose as a Christian (by thinking through and processing our biblical values), then we determine our goals to meet this purpose. Not every goal is the same, so we must prioritize the goals. What needs to be focused on first? Second?
- Then, we build habits or rhythms that move us from point A to B to reach each of those goals. This is tedious, but necessary. I was fascinated to learn from a recent book given to me by a friend that habits are built on discipline employed for at least two months (or 66 days)1.
Internal motivation is simple to form, but not easy to follow.
External Accountability is…
- Found and/or fostered by sharing your goals with someone willing to:
- believe the best in you,
- encourage you to continue, and
- respond when you reach out.
Finding this type of person is simple, but not easy
The amazing promise we have from God’s Word is that the Spirit of God is in us (1 Cor. 6:19-20) by regeneration (Titus 3:5-7), and He is brining conviction (John 16:8-11), washing us (1 Cor. 6:11), enlightening us (1 Cor. 2:11-16), and conforming us to Christ (Rom. 8:29).
In the end, we are–by cultivating internal motivation and embracing external accountability in the power of the Spirit–opening up means of grace for God to work in us.
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-14
__________________________
1 Lally, Phillippa, Van Jaarsveld, Cornelia H.M, Potts, Henry W.W, and Wardle, Jane. “How Habits are Formed: Modelling Habit Formation in the Real World.” European Journal of Social Psychology. 40, 2010 (Published online July 16, 2009). p. 998-1009.