Success in anything first begins with personal motivation. And motivation is simply the internal condition that activates behavior with proper direction. Motivation is an impulse or a driving force that stems from an internal state of being. So in other words, the motivation of your life derives from the most inward condition of your heart. Whatever rules your heart will motivate your life in its behaviors, actions and reactions.
God can only operate in our lives according to how we partner and cooperate with His Word and principles. Our motivation should only be the total submission to the will of God in our lives. John the Baptist said it best, “…I must decrease and He must increase.” It’s called living inside out.
When we live inside out, we live not according to an extrinsic motivation, based on external conditions like riches, rewards, applause, etc; rather an intrinsic motivation based on self-discipline, conviction and submission. Intrinsic motivation is simply the resident internal power of the Holy Spirit operating in us thus, causing us to connect with all He has for us. This power is simply a passion to give all of who we are to Him – a total surrender to His Lordship.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…(Ephesians 3:20)
Let us remember that this promise given to us is conditional…”according to the power that works in us“. In other words, according to our internal motivation, God can and will work in our lives in an “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think fashion.” And our success will be imminent.
So…what is your internal condition? What motivates you? What drives you? What leads you? Is it extrinsic or intrinsic?
