“You’re doing it for all the right reasons,” he said to me.
That remark made me pause. I’m still thinking about it.
When I take on a leadership role, what is my inner motivation?
Do I have a need to feel important?
Do I have to be the boss?
Am I just contributing from my set of skills?
Especially in my church work, but also in my profession, does the work bring me closer to God? Or does it bring me closer to my narcissistic self?
Do I lack the ability to say no?
Do I just have a passion for that work?
In my professional leadership role, I work with other visionaries who are sincerely trying to move the industry forward with no other self interest. None will become exceedingly wealthy. But we care about the advancement of manufacturing and production. There is no room for an overly large ego.
In my church role, I can look inside and say that I really care about the spiritual development of other people. If I can get them involved, it could be life changing. It’s a missions role. Going outside the walls of the church building and helping others, even if it’s just through painting, building walls, constructing a wheelchair ramp so a person can more easily get inside their homes, these all have a deeper meaning.
When you focus on others and work in tandem with God, you actually succeed no matter the results or your personal gain.
Your motivation determines your reward.
Gary Mintchell
Faith Venture 