Why Do You Do What You Do?

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. ‘Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,’ bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” (Hebrews 3:1-6 NIV)

There is a desire for college students to build their résumés with the goal of impressing prospective employers as they near graduation. So they seek internships, research assistant positions, job-related opportunities in their field of study, etc.  In other words, their pursuit is all about themselves and how they will look in the eyes of others.

The problem for Christian students (and, in reality all of us), however, is the temptation to do the same in terms of their relationship with God. Rather than serving the Lord out of love for Him, they are tempted to do things that will draw attention to themselves or for their own gratification. For example, one can be a faithful attender of church with the purpose of impressing God and others of how good and faithful one is. Or being a Bible study leader in order to have a position of influence and will draw admiration.

When living out the Christian life, it is all about why we are doing it. Is it to draw attention to ourselves or is it to draw attention to the Lord and bring Him glory and honor? Only each individual and God can truly answer that question, but it is clear from the Hebrew writer that our sole focus should be on Jesus and honoring Him above ourselves. He is our Creator and Sustainer, and without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). So in whatever we do, He ultimately deserves the credit and this is something we must always keep in the front of our minds, lest our pride overtakes us and we begin to think of ourselves more highly than we should (Romans 12:3).

Today, recognize the life you are building and living is meant to bring glory and honor to the Lord. No matter what your accomplishments are or will be, He is the one ultimately responsible for them and He should receive the credit.

© Jim Musser 2018