I am thinking about why we Christians do what we do. Why do some who claim to be Christians not do the things generally associated with Christianity? Why are some involved and others inactive?
Such a big question requires more space than I have today. But my thinking led me to consider the following question: Do I act because of who God is or because of what God can do for me? When my worship and my life is a natural outgrowth of having seen God as one worthy of worship and adoration, praise and imitation, that changes everything! Have I seen God? Do I understand God? Do I recognize him in his unique glory, respect him for who he is? Surely such is biblical–worship and life that issues forth from who God is.
The other option is that I act because of what I can receive or because my actions will benefit me. This version of Christianity neglects or rejects God when life sours, when challenges overwhelm, and when expected benefits or results do not come.
The question seems a good one: why do we do what we do? May we be focused on God and not on self, on his glory more than our problems, on his worthiness more than our needs.