Isn’t it easy to be focused on outward accomplishments and to compare "notches” with others? Something about how we experienced life has stamped on the template of our soul the motto that says, “If you do x, you will get y.” Yet, the transformation of the godly soul learns to embrace an unconditional acceptance from a loving God and learns to serve God with a different motivation template. This seems to be an ongoing challenge for us as we serve Christ. We continually wrestle with proper motivation in ministry.

If we could only rest in the fact that we are completely pleasing to God by faith in Christ, our motivation to serve would be set free from the chains of that performance template. This chain often pulls us to do something in order to put notches in our “ministry belt.” My son has a WEBLOS belt that he proudly wears around that displays various “loops” that indicate his “progression” in being a good scout. Surely that’s not the motivation for ministry we should have, is it?

I thought my wife was on to something when she would make this statement, “I serve God as a thank you for what He has done for me.” When reading in Psalms the other day, I discovered that she was really on to something big. I read Psalms 119:7, “When I learn your righteous laws, I will thank you by living as I should” (NLT). Now that is proper motivation!

When I think of the godly leadership that Bill Bright gave to Campus Crusade for Christ as the founder and President for over 50 years, the transformed soul is evident.  Or, for that matter, you do a quick survey of any leader that has significantly altered their landscape for Christ and you’ll discover a transformed template of the soul.

In his book Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller has two chapters on loving for Christ. He described a friend who interviewed Christian leaders. In the interview with Bill Bright, he asked about his relationship with Christ. Bill just started to cry. Donald Miller writes, “I want a relationship with Christ like that.” Bill’s motivation was to serve Christ simply and deeply because he loved Christ. He modeled a true leaders heart, love for Christ.

My son wore his scout belt to church this past Sunday. He pointed out to me later that one of his “loops” was scratched when he fell down. I thought to myself, “Oh the fleeting pleasure of earthly notches.” Yet, I’m more like my son that I like to admit.