God Motivation is the state wherein the Christian is fueled solely by God and toward God to the glory of God.
(more here)

Friday, June 17, 2011

God Motivation and Sean the Jerk

There was this guy, Sean, at my house for supper the other night who is such a jerk.  It's not like he made a huge scene or totally bit anybody's head off; it was more of a deal where he was dismissive of others, grumpy when spoken to, impatient with my kiddos, and fairly cold toward Gen.  I should just warn you now that if you ever come over or catch me out and about somewhere, he just might be hanging around with that same old idiot attitude.  What's the story with this rotten guest?  Who is he?  In short...he's me.  You see, for whatever weird reason, people have a hard time remembering that my name is Seth.  I'm not just talking about people that I've maybe met once several years ago; it's more strange than that.  It can be a person that I see on a pretty regular basis who says without hesitation, "Hey, Sean."  I don't really like it but I've learned to accept it.  When other Christians do it, I just make fun of them in my mind as people who don't know their biblical characters very well: "Oh, silly inferior Christian--you just gave your lack of love for the holy Scriptures away."  But at moments like that, Sean is more present than ever; it's actually him that is reflected in those thoughts.  Here's the deal: I have decided to embrace the name of Sean but (out of complete lack of appreciation for him) just relegate him to the position of "sinful nature man."  Usually in referring to what the Bible calls "the flesh" or "the sinful nature" church folk will say something to the effect of, "That was the old me coming out" when they do something out of step with Jesus' way.  Odd lingo no doubt, but pretty true at the same time.  I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me...(Galatians 2:20).  That's right, Sean is actually dead.  My problem is that I keep inviting him to the dinner table, to the workplace, even to my early morning times of quiet and study with God.  The fact is, for a dead guy he shows up a lot and stinks up whatever room I drag him into, and until Seth grows in God Motivation, until he says that it's a heck of a lot better to show off how awesome Jesus Christ is instead of putrid Sean, everybody better stock up on the Febreze--Fresh & Clean is best. 

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