Motivation

Steven Curtis Chapman sings, "And God says, 'I'm gonna turn it into something different. I'm gonna turn it into something good. I'm gonna take all the broken pieces and make something beautiful like only I could.' So put it all in the hands of the Father. Give it up; give it all over to the only One Who can turn it into something beautiful...'When I get through, you're gonna be amazed!'" ("Something Beautiful") Whatever your situation looks like, remember that God knows where you are, and when you look back on it, you should be able to see that it was all part of His beautiful masterpiece that is your life!

Ecclesiastes 4:1, 4-8 (NIV) says:

Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed--and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors--and they have no comforter...And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. The fool folds his hands and ruins himself. Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.

The main message that I think Ecclesiastes communicates is this: Without God, no matter what we strive for, it will fail to fulfill us. That void in one's life can only be filled with the Savior.

That concept of fulfillment can be applied to leadership. We must know what our followers desire and, if it is in our power and ability, provide it for them. Without purpose, our followers go along blindly and aimlessly. Sometimes, we must be the ones to provide the direction or driving force to motivate them. Maxwell says, "As leaders, we must understand people's motivational needs." That takes a good level of discernment on our part.

Maxwell asks, "What do your people want?"

Do you know what your people want? Whether you do or do not, pray this prayer: Father, please give me discernment to read my followers and know what drives them, what they desire. And please help me to provide positive motivation for them. Help me to be a part of making their lives something beautiful! In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!