There are all sorts of motives for why we do what we do on this earth. We can be motivated by power, greed, money, fear, or countless otherworldly things, but any motivation other than a love for our God will always leave us unsatisfied. Back in 2005, Tom Brady, who was the Quarterback for the New England Patriots at the time, was asked in a 60 Minutes interview if there was anything that he was afraid of. He had just won his 3rd Super Bowl Ring, and his response was that he was scared for when his football playing days were over. He was so focused 7 months out of the year on playing football, but in the offseason, he knew how hard it was to fill his days up with things he enjoyed doing. It scared him to think how hard it would be to fill up an entire year without football in his life. In that same interview, he made this statement, “Why do I have 3 Super Bowl Rings and still think there is something greater out there for me?”1 Even with all of his accomplishments in the game of football, at that point in his career he knew there had to be something more to his life.
Solomon in Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 says,
“All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.”
Even though Solomon pursued and attained all that his heart desired, he viewed it as all vanity and of no profit. Even today, our culture wants to convince us to chase after our heart’s desires, and yet Solomon is proof and maybe even Tom Brady, that we can get everything we want out of this world and still not be truly happy. That’s why our motivation for this life must be rooted in a sincere love for our Creator. As we grow and develop a love for God, and that love leads us to honor and humbly obey Him, He blesses us with true joy and peace. He also blesses us with a great hope for the future of an eternal dwelling place with Him.
In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, the apostle Paul writes these words, “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” Paul’s life was controlled by the love of Christ. He understood that since Christ died for us, our response should be to no longer live for ourselves and for the things of this world, but live for the One who died for our sins and conquered the grave! God’s love demonstrated through Christ, causes those who truly believe in Him to trust Him and put away those sinful desires of the flesh. In his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul states it this way, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20) Paul had given up the life he once had and he understood that his life now belonged to Christ. Instead of living by his own desires and what pleased the eye, he chose to live by faith in Jesus Christ who he knew loved Him and was willing to give up His life for Him on the cross.
Just like Paul, the love of Christ should control us. If we are in Christ, we have become a new creature, and the old things have passed away, and behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17). The “greater thing” that Tom Brady knew had to be out there is found only in the love of our faithful Heavenly Father. The only motivation that won’t lead to vanity or meaningless achievements, is a life lived knowing and appreciating the amazing love God has for us. True satisfaction in life is found in seeking to know God in a deeper way through diligent study of His inspired word. God has assured us of His love through the greatest gift ever offered in His only begotten Son (John 3:16). When we surrender our lives to our God and we live this life in appreciation for His love, He gives us an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven! (1 Peter 1:4) That future promise brings an everlasting hope that should cause us to keep excelling in our love for Him.
To God Be the Glory!
Excel Still More!
WORK CITED
60 Minutes Interview 2005. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lojg4i0bTAA&t=1s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TA4_fVkv3c
Billy Clabaugh
Billy, his wife Shayla, and their son Caleb live in Sayre, Oklahoma where he has been blessed to preach since 2012. He has a bachelor’s degree in Math Education from Oklahoma Christian University and a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Eastern New Mexico University. He enjoys reading, watching the Oklahoma Sooners, spending time with his family, and serving in the Kingdom of God. Billy also serves on the board of directors for Excel Still More and is a regular speaker and writer for the workshop and other publications.
