Motivation: who needs it?
There is a lot of talk on a college campus about how motivated or unmotivated people feel at any given moment. "I've finally found my motivation in life," "This teacher is really motivating." Though more often than not it comes up in this context: "I just can't seem to get motivated to do this assignment," "Why can't I be more motivated," "I am so unmotivated right now."
I was talking with a friend the other day when she said something I hadn't thought about before. It was something along the lines of, "I just need to get motivated." The general response that came to mind was "why?" Who says that you need to be motivated in order to get something done, or even to start something. Who says that you can only work quickly, efficiently and enjoyably when motivated?
This term I have the fewest credits I have ever taken in a term of college. I never knew such a world existed; one in which there was time during the day to actually get things done, and there wasn't too much on your plate. It's incredible. I don't know what to do with myself...some times.
In these delightful pockets of time I have faced decisions. One of those decisions has been "work on homework now, or save it for later?" I can tell you there isn't a whole lot of motivation to cause me to start the homework right away. The assignment isn't due for two days. I have plenty of time to work on it later. Why not relax?
And yet, somehow I have repeatedly made the decision to start and complete my work well in advance. I have opted to use my free time to take care of those things that could have waited, but didn't need to wait.
This has caused me to think differently about motivation. Who says we need motivation? If we wait until we "get motivated" we'll never get anywhere. It's not about motivation, it's about decision. Just decide to act. Decide to live, to follow through, to take up the challenges set before you.
Taking action in spite of motivation--or lack-there-of--is nothing new. We've been doing this our whole lives. I'm simply talking about a perspective shift. We need to stop thinking in terms of motivated and unmotivated work. We need to start thinking in terms of recognizing, accepting and intentionally engaging the work laid out before us.
And think of this: James says we are to "consider it pure joy...when [we] face trials of many kinds" (1:2). There is a reason for every trial, every challenge that we face. Each one is a test. How are you going to approach them? No, they aren't easy and fun, and you may never feel motivated to keep going. However, "blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).
Make a decision. Take action, and know that you serve a God who stands by you and stands ready with your reward.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 02, 2010
How Then Shall I Live?
It was hard...really hard. It was quite possibly one of the more difficult experiences of my life. At the same time it was one of the best experiences.
It's like James says: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4). The trials and challenges are tests, and those tests do two things.
First the trials reveal things in myself that I otherwise might not notice. On the one hand it reveals things in myself that still need some work; issues concerning my attitude, my personality, my lifestyle, my perspectives. On the other hand trials can also reveal areas of growth in my life. Those are the most encouraging times, when I'm able to see in myself how God has changed the way I respond to situations; when I respond with more patience, confidence, faithfulness.
The second thing that trials do is to further develop perseverance and other such qualities. So much growth comes from being faithful in times of trial.
All that to say, with all the challenges I faced this summer, and all the growth and change that has taken place in me, how should I live differently? What new challenges should I be pursuing?
I look forward, with fear and trembling, to seeing what God has for me this school year.
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Psalm 68:19
Thank you all for your prayers.
It's like James says: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4). The trials and challenges are tests, and those tests do two things.
First the trials reveal things in myself that I otherwise might not notice. On the one hand it reveals things in myself that still need some work; issues concerning my attitude, my personality, my lifestyle, my perspectives. On the other hand trials can also reveal areas of growth in my life. Those are the most encouraging times, when I'm able to see in myself how God has changed the way I respond to situations; when I respond with more patience, confidence, faithfulness.
The second thing that trials do is to further develop perseverance and other such qualities. So much growth comes from being faithful in times of trial.
All that to say, with all the challenges I faced this summer, and all the growth and change that has taken place in me, how should I live differently? What new challenges should I be pursuing?
I look forward, with fear and trembling, to seeing what God has for me this school year.
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Psalm 68:19
Thank you all for your prayers.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Crazy Days
I never thought that retreat week would be so...interesting.
The first half of this last week the summer staff girls go on retreat while the guys work around camp. It also just so happens that this is the week we have a christian camp for the deaf on campus. They are really wonderful people, and it is neat seeing how they interact with each other. Where it gets crazy is when I'm lifeguarding at the waterfront and they start signing to each other what they are about to do and I have no way of knowing if I should put a stop to it or not. The situation is rather humorous, but also a little unnerving.
The second half of the week the guys go on retreat--meeting up with the girls for one day in the middle of the week. I went into this retreat realizing that I needed to take some time to process some things, and intending to take some time away from the group to do that. Taking that time was easy enough because I was one of the only people awake for the first couple hours each morning.
We were able to use the time well; just being together as guys. We even invented a game using everlasting gobstoppers and a circular table with a lip around the edge.
The week was also a great opportunity for me to connect with a number of the summer staffers. God is doing a lot of great things in our community. And at the same time there are still some areas where we have some learning and growing to do.
OH! Some time you should ask me what happened on the drive up to retreat. Thank God for doughnuts.
Right now I'm on the mend from a fever yesterday. I was out of commission the whole day, and today I'm slowly rebuilding my energy. This week ahead of me is day camp. I won't have any campers because I am a "waterfront specialist", which means I work with all the kids throughout the week. It will be a different side of camp, and I'm looking forward to that.
Keep us in your prayers. Thanks.
The first half of this last week the summer staff girls go on retreat while the guys work around camp. It also just so happens that this is the week we have a christian camp for the deaf on campus. They are really wonderful people, and it is neat seeing how they interact with each other. Where it gets crazy is when I'm lifeguarding at the waterfront and they start signing to each other what they are about to do and I have no way of knowing if I should put a stop to it or not. The situation is rather humorous, but also a little unnerving.
The second half of the week the guys go on retreat--meeting up with the girls for one day in the middle of the week. I went into this retreat realizing that I needed to take some time to process some things, and intending to take some time away from the group to do that. Taking that time was easy enough because I was one of the only people awake for the first couple hours each morning.
We were able to use the time well; just being together as guys. We even invented a game using everlasting gobstoppers and a circular table with a lip around the edge.
The week was also a great opportunity for me to connect with a number of the summer staffers. God is doing a lot of great things in our community. And at the same time there are still some areas where we have some learning and growing to do.
OH! Some time you should ask me what happened on the drive up to retreat. Thank God for doughnuts.
Right now I'm on the mend from a fever yesterday. I was out of commission the whole day, and today I'm slowly rebuilding my energy. This week ahead of me is day camp. I won't have any campers because I am a "waterfront specialist", which means I work with all the kids throughout the week. It will be a different side of camp, and I'm looking forward to that.
Keep us in your prayers. Thanks.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Midway Checkpoint
I survived the first two weeks of counseling. I would love to be able to say that both weeks my cabin was filled with a bunch of heathens who didn't know anything about God, and over the week I showed them how much God loves them and saw them accept God's gift of salvation which was promptly followed by drastic changes in their lives. Fact of the matter is most of the kids in my cabin already knew and believed in Jesus, yet they still didn't get along with each other, and the only change that came of the week was the depth of their frustration with each other--it deepened with each passing day. I have no idea what God will do with what happened for them this week. I just pray that something got through to them.
As I drew closer to the end of this last week and began to realize that both weeks my cabin essentially had the same problem, and neither week did the problem really become resolved I started to develop some doubts in myself. I started thinking, "maybe I didn't respond in the way I should have. Maybe I didn't meet the challenge, but instead only endured it. Were these two weeks of any value? Have I accomplished anything?"
These thoughts can easily become discouraging and cause me to doubt my value in this ministry. I have to remind myself that I did everything I could, and I cared for them well, and I never stopped loving each of them. Continually I pursued God and his guidance and help. Surely he can take the meager fruit of this last week and nurture it into succulent morsels.
Now I'm looking at the ending of the summer. Half of this week I will be on summer staff retreat. I would like to use that time well; to process a lot of things that have happened over the summer so far. It's taken me this long to realize that I am not capable of processing things in my head. This means that the next week will likely involve a lot of journaling and conversations (Some of those conversations will be with myself, so hopefully people don't see me and think I'm a crazy person...oh well).
We have day camp coming up next week. That will take a lot of focus, energy and patience as I'm dealing with small children who can think of nothing but the next snack time. After day camp comes our high school camp. I'm really looking forward to that last camp. Although, I am concerned that my cabin will continue the theme of my last two cabins--internal conflict.
Please pray that this week I will get the rest and the processing that I need, that I will continue to seek God personally, and that my cabins in the weeks to come will be more collaborative than the ones in the past. Also continue to pray for my campers as they are maybe processing their experiences at camp these last two weeks. God is not done with them yet.
Thank you for your prayers, and God bless.
As I drew closer to the end of this last week and began to realize that both weeks my cabin essentially had the same problem, and neither week did the problem really become resolved I started to develop some doubts in myself. I started thinking, "maybe I didn't respond in the way I should have. Maybe I didn't meet the challenge, but instead only endured it. Were these two weeks of any value? Have I accomplished anything?"
These thoughts can easily become discouraging and cause me to doubt my value in this ministry. I have to remind myself that I did everything I could, and I cared for them well, and I never stopped loving each of them. Continually I pursued God and his guidance and help. Surely he can take the meager fruit of this last week and nurture it into succulent morsels.
Now I'm looking at the ending of the summer. Half of this week I will be on summer staff retreat. I would like to use that time well; to process a lot of things that have happened over the summer so far. It's taken me this long to realize that I am not capable of processing things in my head. This means that the next week will likely involve a lot of journaling and conversations (Some of those conversations will be with myself, so hopefully people don't see me and think I'm a crazy person...oh well).
We have day camp coming up next week. That will take a lot of focus, energy and patience as I'm dealing with small children who can think of nothing but the next snack time. After day camp comes our high school camp. I'm really looking forward to that last camp. Although, I am concerned that my cabin will continue the theme of my last two cabins--internal conflict.
Please pray that this week I will get the rest and the processing that I need, that I will continue to seek God personally, and that my cabins in the weeks to come will be more collaborative than the ones in the past. Also continue to pray for my campers as they are maybe processing their experiences at camp these last two weeks. God is not done with them yet.
Thank you for your prayers, and God bless.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
A Workman Aproved, That Is The Goal
The summer staff girls have been counseling for girls camp this week, which makes this "Man week" in the summer staff living area. It has been good, having a chance for the guys to come together away from the girls. At the same time it has been weird not having the girls around; the group doesn't feel complete.
Next week we start our middle school camp, which means that we will all be counseling. I am both excited and a little scared. Who knows what challenges this next week could bring.
As for the week at hand, It has been a lot of work for me. Literally, I have had the longest work days since band camp Saturdays (you should ask about those some time). But the real difficulty of this last week has been keeping a good attitude through the long days and all the little things that come up. As each new thing has been asked of me I've had to make a conscious decision to act immediately and positively. Those decisions can be especially hard when selfish thoughts begin to creep into my head. "You've got a long day ahead of you. Let someone else do it." "You've been working hard. Why not wait for someone else to take care of this?" And the most dangerous thought of all: "If only I didn't have to do this right now..."
Thank God, he continues to give me joy and energy in my work, and little encouraging blessings along the way. He reminds me always of two things: It's not about me, and he is my strength and my life. If this were about me, I could hold all kinds of complaints about this and that and the other thing. If this were about me, I could ask more of this and accept less of that. If this were about me, I could serve how I want to serve, and rest how I want to rest. But it's not about me. I didn't come here to work for me and my gain. I came here to serve God as he would have me serve. This isn't about me.
At the same time, God has, is and will always provide for me as I need--not necessarily as I want. God will bring about his justice--which is righteous and complete. This is a theme I continue to encounter as I've been working through the Psalms. It may not happen in my time or as I would wish it, but justice will prevail. The question is, when God enacts his justice will I be placed under his punishing hand or will I be held in his rewarding arms? Will I be marked as one disobedient to his father, or crowned as a faithful child of the king?
I want to be faithful and obedient, but it takes a lot of work, and patience, and humility, and reliance on God.
Please pray for me. And pray for my campers these next two weeks (Tween camp and Boys camp). Thanks.
Next week we start our middle school camp, which means that we will all be counseling. I am both excited and a little scared. Who knows what challenges this next week could bring.
As for the week at hand, It has been a lot of work for me. Literally, I have had the longest work days since band camp Saturdays (you should ask about those some time). But the real difficulty of this last week has been keeping a good attitude through the long days and all the little things that come up. As each new thing has been asked of me I've had to make a conscious decision to act immediately and positively. Those decisions can be especially hard when selfish thoughts begin to creep into my head. "You've got a long day ahead of you. Let someone else do it." "You've been working hard. Why not wait for someone else to take care of this?" And the most dangerous thought of all: "If only I didn't have to do this right now..."
Thank God, he continues to give me joy and energy in my work, and little encouraging blessings along the way. He reminds me always of two things: It's not about me, and he is my strength and my life. If this were about me, I could hold all kinds of complaints about this and that and the other thing. If this were about me, I could ask more of this and accept less of that. If this were about me, I could serve how I want to serve, and rest how I want to rest. But it's not about me. I didn't come here to work for me and my gain. I came here to serve God as he would have me serve. This isn't about me.
At the same time, God has, is and will always provide for me as I need--not necessarily as I want. God will bring about his justice--which is righteous and complete. This is a theme I continue to encounter as I've been working through the Psalms. It may not happen in my time or as I would wish it, but justice will prevail. The question is, when God enacts his justice will I be placed under his punishing hand or will I be held in his rewarding arms? Will I be marked as one disobedient to his father, or crowned as a faithful child of the king?
I want to be faithful and obedient, but it takes a lot of work, and patience, and humility, and reliance on God.
Please pray for me. And pray for my campers these next two weeks (Tween camp and Boys camp). Thanks.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Illness, Injury, And The Only Cure
How do I describe the week I just had?
It was so good, and so intense, and so sad, and so challenging. "So" isn't a very descriptive word.
I am in a very good place. God has worked on my attitude and given me great joy in the most mundane and previously innocuous tasks. Life is just better when it is filled with God's joy and pleasure in serving him.
The main challenge of this week came in the form of others' observations. It was brought to my attention by three different sources that there is a bug going through our community. This bug is a disease that effects our attitudes and out efforts. The first two notices intrigued me, but the third gave me cause for great concern and sent me straight to scripture to seek out the truth of the matter. The questions that were on my heart were these:
"Does something need to be said to this community?"
"Am I the one who needs to say it?"
"What needs to be said, and when?"
As of yet it has not been my place to address the community. However, since that day people have already begun to speak to the community pieces of what I found in my search. It has been very encouraging. And the words that I found have been shaping my attitude as I approach my own work, so even if I am not to address the community myself, I don't consider my efforts to be wasted.
Right now I am praying and waiting to see if and how the community is effected by what has been said. Who knows if I may yet be called to speak? I pray that God will give me wisdom in that, and love enough to speak truth where it is needed. I also pray that God will continue to work on my own heart and attitude so that I may be a light in the world and an ambassador of his truth.
Things are happening here; both frightening and wonderful things. If we can work together in unity and love--as God's body is intended to do--we can accomplish a great deal this summer, and in the years to come.
If, however, we allow the enemy to divide us and spoil our attitudes, we can only hope that God will redeem the mess that is created. Even so, we will lose so much in the opportunities God has given us this summer.
Only the Spirit of God can create in us such unity. Only the Spirit of God--which produces in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control--can teach us how to live well together in community. May his Spirit fill us each day.
Please pray for us, and continue praying for me.
It was so good, and so intense, and so sad, and so challenging. "So" isn't a very descriptive word.
I am in a very good place. God has worked on my attitude and given me great joy in the most mundane and previously innocuous tasks. Life is just better when it is filled with God's joy and pleasure in serving him.
The main challenge of this week came in the form of others' observations. It was brought to my attention by three different sources that there is a bug going through our community. This bug is a disease that effects our attitudes and out efforts. The first two notices intrigued me, but the third gave me cause for great concern and sent me straight to scripture to seek out the truth of the matter. The questions that were on my heart were these:
"Does something need to be said to this community?"
"Am I the one who needs to say it?"
"What needs to be said, and when?"
As of yet it has not been my place to address the community. However, since that day people have already begun to speak to the community pieces of what I found in my search. It has been very encouraging. And the words that I found have been shaping my attitude as I approach my own work, so even if I am not to address the community myself, I don't consider my efforts to be wasted.
Right now I am praying and waiting to see if and how the community is effected by what has been said. Who knows if I may yet be called to speak? I pray that God will give me wisdom in that, and love enough to speak truth where it is needed. I also pray that God will continue to work on my own heart and attitude so that I may be a light in the world and an ambassador of his truth.
Things are happening here; both frightening and wonderful things. If we can work together in unity and love--as God's body is intended to do--we can accomplish a great deal this summer, and in the years to come.
If, however, we allow the enemy to divide us and spoil our attitudes, we can only hope that God will redeem the mess that is created. Even so, we will lose so much in the opportunities God has given us this summer.
Only the Spirit of God can create in us such unity. Only the Spirit of God--which produces in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control--can teach us how to live well together in community. May his Spirit fill us each day.
Please pray for us, and continue praying for me.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Blessings And Battles
Week three:
Sunday was a huge surprise for me. After working all afternoon I was given an unexpected challenge. One of the counselors for the camp this week didn't show up, and they asked me to fill in for one night until they could get a replacement. It wasn't the relaxing evening I had in mind. However, it was exactly the evening God had in mind for me.
After spending at least a week of summer staff feeling worn out and drained I never would have thought that a night of watching middle schoolers was exactly what I needed. But, oddly enough, the next morning I felt wonderfully rejuvenated. The days that followed were all equally energized. God is so good...even if he does provide in strange ways.
This last week has been full of beautiful, painful and exciting moments in our community. We have been able to support each other, challenge each other and grow with each other. I know that I am playing a good part in this community, but I continue to wonder if there is something that I am missing. Is it enough to be there for people; to support and encourage and provide what I can when it's needed? Or do I need to be more actively pursuing people's needs?
I need God's grace so much. The more and more I pursue him and desire to follow him, the more I realize just how much I need him. I need his grace. I need his love. I need his joy.
Lord help me?
Sunday was a huge surprise for me. After working all afternoon I was given an unexpected challenge. One of the counselors for the camp this week didn't show up, and they asked me to fill in for one night until they could get a replacement. It wasn't the relaxing evening I had in mind. However, it was exactly the evening God had in mind for me.
After spending at least a week of summer staff feeling worn out and drained I never would have thought that a night of watching middle schoolers was exactly what I needed. But, oddly enough, the next morning I felt wonderfully rejuvenated. The days that followed were all equally energized. God is so good...even if he does provide in strange ways.
This last week has been full of beautiful, painful and exciting moments in our community. We have been able to support each other, challenge each other and grow with each other. I know that I am playing a good part in this community, but I continue to wonder if there is something that I am missing. Is it enough to be there for people; to support and encourage and provide what I can when it's needed? Or do I need to be more actively pursuing people's needs?
I need God's grace so much. The more and more I pursue him and desire to follow him, the more I realize just how much I need him. I need his grace. I need his love. I need his joy.
Lord help me?
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