There is usually more than one reason for why we do things.  These reasons can be like building blocks upon each other, but we must not misplace our motive in the wrong building block as the foundation of our decisions.  Ultimately, the Bible says our purpose is to bring glory to God, and making decisions in accordance with His Word is how this is accomplished.  

Isaiah 43:7 - Even every one that is called by my name:  for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.  

I Corinthians 10:31 - Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.  

I Corinthians 6:19-20 - 19What?  Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?   20For ye are bought with a price:  therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.  

Ask yourself, why do I serve God?  Do you serve God because your Pastor says to or asks you to, or maybe because it is what you’ve always done?  Sometimes, we don’t even realize we have the wrong motive until it’s too late.  Hindsight is always better than foresight, am I right?  

Will you still do what is right when someone looks at you cross ways?  Maybe you’re not the popular one anymore, or you didn’t get the recognition.  How about when someone hurts you, whether it’s by accident or on purpose?  Would any of these things get you to stop or change your mind about the choices you make?  Do you decide your standards and convictions on how it affects others or what benefits you will receive from it?  

I Peter 1:14-16 - 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  

Serving Christ and living a life set a part for Him come with many added benefits and blessings, touching our lives as well as others.  If all that went away, would you still make the same choices?  As an example, I have heard people say, “I give to others because I was given to. “  This is not a bad reason to give, but it is not the basis of WHY we should give.  Does this mean if no one ever gave to them; is it okay for them not to give in their lifetime?  Why, No!  Of course not!  Being able to pay it forward is an added benefit of God’s command to give and meet another’s need or want.  Can you see how having the right WHY, placing your faith in the correct place, or should I say person, when you make spiritual decisions is so important? You can apply this to any circumstance of growth the Lord may be working on your heart about. 

1 Samuel 15:22 - And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  

Here we see Saul has been disobedient to God’s command.  He thought his own ideas about how to do God’s work and to sacrifice would be a better option.  So easily, we can get caught up in doing things through sacrifice and not obedience.  Don’t do it for the preacher; don’t do it for your kids; and don’t do it for the Church.  Have you ever heard a disgruntled person say, “Do you know how much I’ve done for that church?”  Well, who were they doing it for?  You won’t find yourself mad at the church, swept up in bitterness, over analyzing people and situations, if you are serving to glorify God with an obedient heart.  I challenge you to learn why you believe what you believe.  Don’t make your decisions off of the humanism of this world; don’t make it off of family tradition.   Get in your Bible and make decisions about your life from Biblical truth and then follow in obedience to God’s Word.  Here you will find yourself living the Christian life for decades, raising children and grandchildren for God, all with a sweet spirit being able to encourage others in the Lord. 

Genesis 50:19-20 - 19And Joseph said unto them, Fear not:  for am I in the place of God?   20But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.  

On the flip side, we have Joseph, a wonderful example of obedience.  I believe he thought not himself in the place of God about most of the things that happened in his life.  If anyone had a reason to lean on his own thinking, live off his emotions, get mad, blame other people, and get bitter, it was Joseph.  Yet, he chose at each turn to follow in obedience to God, and oh, how his life does glorify God!  One can truly see how Jesus had to have been Joseph’s WHY. 

We will all make decisions in 2024.  Some have already started with New Year’s resolutions, and that is good, but they will only be life changing, life lasting decisions if they are based on obedience to God’s Word to bring Him glory.  What is your WHY?   May it be the Lord Jesus Christ.