Bother

No, I did not miss the "R" in my title although my brother is pretty cool ;)
"Bother" is a word that simply means taking the trouble to do something.

In order to do something, I must be motivated. After all, why bother with something if I am uninspired?

Sure, people do things all the time with little to no enthusiasm. But in order to accomplish something significant, usually a drive or purpose behind the act is present.

What motivates me?
Personal financial, popularity, or status gain?
The ambition to make the world a better place?

These might be fair reasons to be excited about achieving something, but what should be the overarching cause for tenacity?
The spread of the gospel?
Lifting up high the name of the One Who has called me out of darkness and into His marvelous light?

One day, I was in a conversation with a group of Christian girls who wanted to join a club which purpose is to go out and evangelize to homeless people.
The fire was evident and excitement built as they conversed about the opportunity.
I felt my heart sink to my shoes as one girl explained the reason she wanted to participate:
"As bad as this sounds, one of the main reasons I want to get into this is because I'll get a credit for community service and it will look good on my resume!"

Really?

Is a good grade and another line on my resume the reason I do anything?

Oh God, I pray, let it never be so!

Lord, I admit the reasons I do things are rarely in-line with your solid Word. Please help me to see Your glory as my number one goal and drive. Allow my life exclaim Your glory to the world. No strings attached.

In a previous post, I said the only thing I regret from this past year was the opportunities I missed to engage people in conversation about the gospel.

God, please saturate my life with You.

Why bother?
Because someone else bothered for me and He bothered His life away for the world.
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"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
2 Corinthians 10:17