Imagine you’ve set yourself aside from the world and isolated yourself on a sailboat with all the coffee you could need and a good book. The sound of the water against the hull and the wind in the sails are your only distractions. You are surrounded by beauty and nature. You find your favorite reading spot, got your coffee in hand and now for the book! A real mind-twister! A murder mystery! A real “Who-Done-It”?
He was a rich man, found dead. In a high-rise building. Security cameras. No one had a clue, but there he was dead, shot through the head. His body lay on the floor along with the pool of his blood. The police were baffled and Detectives were called in; even an FBI Agent showed up.
No fingerprints. Somehow the cameras had been evaded. No clues had been found to follow. So what are they left with? There is one thing none of us can escape. One thing of utmost importance in every crime… “MOTIVE”! What could be the motive behind the act? The motivation driving the action?
It is human nature. It is how we function. We live and breathe by what motivates us, or a lack of motivation. Who might have a reason to murder this man? Our true MOTIVES can be hard to hide, but some do it well. We are especially good at hiding the truth from ourself, but not God. WHY might we want to hide our true MOTIVES even from ourself? Even from God if we could? And especially if we’ve murdered someone and don’t want to end up in jail! The “WHY’s” of our life can be very revealing, but also very helpful if we are wise enough to heed them.
As the investigation progresses, more than a few are found to have potential “MOTIVE” for the murder. Like I said, he was a rich man. A lot can happen climbing that ladder of success. So how to narrow down the suspects? Who has strong alibis and who do not? But still…no proof has been found and the police are baffled.
A few days later another man is shot dead in the same manner, and he worked in the same company as the first victim. He was even a suspect! The waters become murkier as the plot thickens, but there is one potential new clue. Both murder victims were shot dead at the exact same time! 10:44 p.m.! A coincidence?
You lift your eyes from the pages of the book. Staring out at the horizon sparkling before you, you ponder the clues. Taking a slow sip of your coffee, you think, “Surely this 10:44 p.m. execution time is more than a coincidence, it is a clue to the motivation of the killer!” Congratulations, Sherlock! You’re on your way to solving the mystery! But what could it be? What is the evidence revealing about the MOTIVE of this executioner? What is the “WHY” in the mind of the killer?
Every good Detective, and every student of human nature always looks for a person’s MOTIVE. It is a basic element to understanding everything we do. What are the “WHY’s” in your own mind? A study of “WHY’s” is always very revealing, and can be very rewarding.
“The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1st Samuel 16: 7b)
If the previous story sounds familiar, yes, it is some movie I saw some where, but it is proven fact we are driven by our motives. Our “WHY” factor. But do we take time to examine our “WHY” in any given target of our own personal living? The Lord does not see as mortals see! And WHY should we? Do we not have an immortal soul? WHY live in flesh rather than spirit?
As a person fascinated by human nature, the question of how we got here, and where we go after this, the subject of a “Creator”, and a supernatural spiritual world is big with me. And this brings me to the real MOTIVES behind this web of thought I have woven thus far >>>>>>>
“What is the real MOTIVE, or ‘WHY’ behind your Christianity?”
If you have read this far and now know the real subject of this series, will you honestly face the question, or run from it? And if you short-cut this question and give it a quick shallow answer simply to make your escape, then WHY? What is causing you to do that? What is the reason behind your action? What was the “reason” someone was murdering certain people at 10:44 p.m.! (There were more yet to die.)
We will examine some of the different MOTIVES that are being pushed from the pulpits these days, as to “WHY” someone should be motivated to follow Christ. That is basic Christianity in its purest form, Jesus speaking to us, “Follow Me.”
There is a new wine flowing that has challenged me to be more missionary in my Christianity, in my following of Jesus, because that is what Jesus did and taught. I now have a team of 3 people in this vision to use rescued dogs to rescue people who may have “issues” they need help with. If we succeed, this will be my missionary path into the lives of special people God will lead us to.
These dogs have been abandoned. We have too many abandoned dogs! If they find no home, they are “put down”. I believe the Spirit of God led me to a special lady who has been saving dogs and finding them homes out of the pure “LOVE” of her heart. MOTIVATION! We visited this “4 Legged Ranch” and met a few dogs they currently have. We would be a volunteer foster home and trainers for the dogs. Once the dog has healed of their issues, they are ready for a good home. This Dog Ranch never puts a dog down.
I went to meet this lady and check her MOTIVES, her “WHY” for doing what she does. The evidence I saw showed no sign of a “love for money” connected in any way, not even her helpers. This is a lot of work, sacrifice, and if anything a loss of money.
After enjoying the place for a spell, and getting to know her more, I said, “This is a ‘calling’ for you, isn’t it.” She smiled. “You’re certainly not doing it for the money,” I said, and both her and her helper broke into laughter.
So…this is the beginning of another series. In October you will likely be seeing dog pictures popping up here. These dogs will all have a story, and a future! We will work with them. Eventually we hope to use these dogs to help people who will also have a story and a future. But what is “our” story? What is the “WHY” of why we personally follow Christ? Is it because we want to be a “King’s Kid”? Or a Servant of Love? Hhmmm. Good question. Now we have the mystery of our own heart to solve. Should we get to know our own self?
Our Creator knows the answer in our heart. And if we have chosen Christ so we can “have our best life now”, well…it all depends on what you mean by that? Who are these prosperity churches when Jesus taught minimalism? He chose a donkey over a fancy stallion. I must admit, I really don’t understand you, or your churches.
I’m just beginning to search this mystery of spiritual motives. What was the “WHY” when you got baptized? Has your “WHY” changed over the years? “WHY” are you following Jesus? What is your “WHY”? And as His disciple, His follower, what do you see your holy task from Him to be? And “WHY” do you go to whatever type of Church you go to? Are they really challenging you to be all you can be for Christ? Or to have your own best life now? Is it all about YOU? Exactly what do those words mean?
“We need to know our “WHY’s” in life. This is a very good skill to develop in all we do, the asking of the question of what is my true “WHY” here? If I give that 10%, why am I giving it, really? Is it because I think I have to, like a law? Is it because I want more back than I am giving? Is it like a spiritual stock market? I’m giving more so I can have more? What are our true motives?
What is God’s “WHY” when it comes to His relationship with man and all He has instructed us to do? The Bible very plainly states it. God is very “upfront” about His “WHY’s”. He knows them well.
There is much we need to consider when it comes to “human nature”, “how we got here”, and “where are we going”? Let’s look deeper into the “WHY’s” of the mysteries of this life, together. May our compass read true.
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but my words will never hurt you, so why did you murder me? 
Path Without End 