Can’t get motivated? Try Divine Inspiration.

I read where onetime seventy psychologists were asked, “What is the most essential thing for a supervisor to know about human nature?” And two thirds said that motivation and an understanding of what makes people think, feel, and act as they do is uppermost.

Intrigued, I was motivated to find the original source of this information so I could study it further. I was disappointed I couldn’t find it. However, this motivated me even more to learn about motivation and its effect on the way people think, feel, and act.

First, what is motivation? Basically, it’s whatever moves or drives us to do something. Various factors may play a role—fears, desires, beliefs. convictions,  rewards, punishments.

I also found there are two kinds of motivation. One is intrinsic—that is, as it is sparked by one’s inner drive or ambition that brings personal gratification and fulfillment. For example, this would include joy, love, sense of belonging or accomplishment, and the like. The other is extrinsic—that is, rewards or recognition received from outer sources such as job promotion, pay raises, material possessions, praise from someone you respect, and so forth.

Here are top ten areas one coaching source reports where motivation is an issue:

• • Personal Development
  • Weight Loss
  • Continuing Education
  • Job Change
  • Exercise
  • Professional Development
  • Workplace
  • Sales
  • Stop Smoking
  • Life Exploration (Travel)
    (Source: Life Potential)

Now, naturally, there’s a need for motivation in just about everything we do in life. The ten I cited are only the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, merely being motivated to get up out of bed in the morning and be ready for the day is a great challenge for a good many people, I’m sure.

Indeed, who doesn’t require it at times? Children, parents, middle agers, seniors—what age is NOT exempt from the need to be motivated with all the challenges we encounter in this day and age?

And yet, what is the underlying foundation that we can rely on to be motivated? Is there one basic source that determines how we’re motivated or what prompts us to be motivated in the first place? In other words, where can we turn to get motivated to do what we want to do in the first place?

We can turn to a lot of places for inspiration. Make a note of it: inspiration.

Human inspiration plays a decisive role in human motivation. For inspiration is simply based on human values. What you value most will determine what motivates you most. Inspiration, therefore, is the underlying force that decides what those intrinsic and extrinsic factors that motivate you will be.

One quote I believe accurately describes inspiration from a human perspective is by Italian composer, Giacomo Puccini: “Inspiration is an awakening, a quickening of all man’s faculties, and it is manifested in all high artistic achievements.”

True, whether its “artistic achievements” or anything else, we need such inspiration if we wish to be more motivated. We can inspire others to be motivated to succeed regardless who we are or what our position is in life. And it goes hand-in-hand with the Scripture which says,

“Therefore, encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, New American Standard Bible, NASB).

Now, that’s positive, isn’t it? But notice, it’s also Scriptural.

And speaking of Scriptural….Here’s the REAL motivating factor behind inspiration:

2 Timothy 3¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. (NASB)

Human inspiration that finds motivation in the Scriptures is beneficial. Why? Because the primary source is from God. This is called Biblical or Divine Inspiration. The one, true God provides the supernatural force that inspires true motivation.

Consider what the word “inspire” or “inspiration” literally means in the above text. From the original Greek, it means, “God-breathed.”  God “breathed out” his Word in the sense that he directed the writers of all 66 books to record his message for all to read and hear. This constitutes his self-revelation to humanity.

The writers we moved by God’s Power, a.k.a., his Holy Spirit which entails how God breathed out his sacred Word to men so moved and inspired by him. Second Peter 1:20-21 says,

²⁰ But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (NASB)

“Spirit,” (from the Hebrew, ruach, in the Old Testament, and the Greek,  pneuma, in the New Testament) in general, is associated with the literal meaning of “inspiration” since it primarily represents the air we breathe, as well as a state of feeling, angelic powers, and influence from a being. (Emphatic Diaglott)

Thus, God’s Holy Spirit is his supernatural, sacred Power he imparts to those he inspired to write the Holy Bible. Therefore, we have such declarations as “thus saith the Lord” more than 3,800 times in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ who is God’s only begotten Son, as well as the apostles, were also under the influence and authority of God’s Spirit and, therefore, spoke and wrote under Divine Inspiration.

We can trust by faith that all 66 books that make up the Scriptures are not only equally inspired by God, but are also equally infallible and inerrant making them credible and genuine, as well. (See Jeremiah 5:14; 23:29; Ezekiel 37:7; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12 for various descriptions of the ways God’s Word works through its power and influence.)

In Second Timothy 3:16-17, see a list of ways God’s inspired Word is beneficial: “for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness.”  Each of these terms are motivational in themselves. For example,

• • The Scriptures motivate us by teaching us the truth that leads to joyful living. 
  • The Scriptures motivate us by rebuking us and keeping us convicted to pursue God’s will and wisdom.
  • The Scriptures  motivate us by correcting us and keeping us on the straight and narrow way God wants us to travel throughout life’s journey.
  • The Scriptures motivate us by training us to develop and grow through spiritual strength, stamina, and security through the name of Christ.

These are the ways we can be motivated by being assured that God has given us every opportunity for being “fully capable” and adequately “equipped for every good work.”

I don’t know about you, but this verse alone motivates me to regularly read and study God’s inspired Word in everything I do. Actually, since January, I’ve been in the process of reading the entire Bible through in one year. Each day, I’ve been reading selected scriptures in chronological order. It’s a very uplifting and exciting experience for I can’t wait to see what God’s Word has to say next in each and every passage—even the ones with the “begats” and repetitious details  like in the Book of Numbers.

To be honest, I can’t count the many times I’ve been motivated through the inspiration of the Scriptures—especially whenever I’ve needed that special boost of energy, encouragement, and enlightenment in my life. Oh, and the hope, joy, and love I receive, as well. Yes, it’s that Divine Inspiration that makes God’s Word Good News for me and, hopefully it is also…

Good News to YOU!
Pastor Michael
P.S. Take a few minutes, sit back and enjoy this soothing song of inspiration sung by Lauren Bowers that will motivate you to appreciate the, “Holy Bible, Book Divine” https://youtu.be/pXEjAtbIplM