What is your motivation?

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13

I struggled with these readings this week, not seeing anything in them to inspire me. But then I spent some time with Paul, and thought about how motivated he was to introduce people to Jesus, and how motivation fits in the other readings as well.

The First Reading, from 2 Samuel gives us a summary of the reign of King David. When the Israelites first settled in the land they were divided into 12 tribes, named for the 12 sons of Jacob. They spread out to fill in the land from north to south. The tribes had all clamored for Samuel the Prophet to give them a king, like all the other countries. So, God chose Saul, and Samuel anointed him.

But he wasn’t guided by God, and many of the things angered God, so God told Samuel to anoint David as king. It took perhaps 20 years for David to become king, but he finally made it. And he worked to unite the tribes into one kingdom. At first, Hebron was like the capital city, then David and his army conquered Jerusalem and claimed it as his home city.

The difference between King Saul and King David, and the reason David is revered and remembered in Judaism, is because of his motivation. We read in verse 10: “And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.” David was a flawed human, who did occasionally use his power and his privilege to get whatever he wanted – like Bathsheba – but he was always faithful to God. He never worshipped other deities. He confessed his sins and was forgiven. His faith in God is expressed in many of the Psalms. What is David’s motivation? Pleasing God more than himself.

… Jesus goes home to Nazareth, and isn’t received very well. The townsfolk are skeptical that this man they remember as a child is now preaching stuff different than what the rabbis and scribes and Pharisees have told them. Just who does he think he is?! What’s their motivation? Maintain the status quo!!

… And we come to Paul. He tells us some of his story – his call to stop persecuting the Christ followers and become one of them. He is so motivated to introduce others to the joy of believing in Jesus that he willingly – now! – endures the pain of the thorn in his flesh – whatever that is. And he invites us all to join him in the same kind of trial, because whatever we are experiencing because of Jesus is worth it. God’s grace is enough to help us through our challenges. God’s grace gives us strength, even though we are weak by ourselves. Paul’s motivation is doing whatever God asks of him.

… So, I want to spend some time considering what motivation looks like. I quickly decided against anything with national politics in mind, though there are plenty of examples there.

Here is one example, through my eyes, from Citrus County. A couple weeks ago, I shared that we had some candidates as the program at my Kiwanis Club. Ken and Vickie are both running for School Board. Ken has been an active politician in the county for some years, while Vickie is a teacher. At the end of the meeting, we thought both would be good members of the board, but something Ken said helped me choose between them. Ken said he is an outsider, looking in, and Vickie is an insider, seeking to lead from the inside. I think Vickie is motivated to improve the schools by knowing from experience what teachers, students, and staff all need for the best experience. Ken has good ideas, but not necessarily the ideas the school needs. His motivation is to continue to serve, and that’s wonderful. But I think he is also motivated by having a recognizable name in the community – he likes the fame!

… And here is a church story, from the current issue of Christian Century. Heidi Neumark is a Lutheran pastor and columnist. Listen as she seeks to discern the motivations of some congregations.

‘I was asked by the Bishop and Synod to serve as a “missional coach” with a six-church parish in upstate New York. … When I interviewed, the board [of the parish] was happy that when asked what new mission I thought they should undertake, I said that I didn’t know and I didn’t think it was my role to impose my ideas (not that I had any). “That’s the right answer!” I was told. Now, not so much. They are desperate for answers, direction, a hopeful way forward. We know you’re not a miracle worker, but . . .

‘And while White Christian nationalism certainly exists in these parts, the people at the churches I’m serving pray for immigrants. Gay couples appear to feel at home, and two of the churches sport rainbow banners. They enthusiastically share food with neighbors.

‘When I sat with members of the congregation with a worshiping attendance of five, I learned that three of them were baptized there as babies. They are now in their 70s. No wonder they are attached to the place, which needs several hundred thousand dollars of repairs. When we spoke of hopes for the future, a woman in her 90s said that her hope is to be buried from the church and that they could fashion her coffin from the sainted building’s rotting wood.

‘For now, all are resisting shared identity and mission as an imagined threat to individual congregational survival. I’ve been reflecting on the image of the mother hen trying to gather her chicks together, “but they were not willing” (Luke 13:34). It helps me to see these churches with greater tenderness—six frightened, stubborn little chicks loved by Jesus.’

What is the motivation of these small congregations? First of all, survival, a place from which to be buried. They still wish to serve and welcome all – some of them even have rainbow flags! But another motivation is to not have to adapt, change, or do something new.

And what is Heidi’s motivation? To help the good folks of these six places visualize a future in which they continue to exist, but which may look different, may take energy they don’t think they have. And above all to trust that God is with them, whatever they decide.

… As UELC looks to the future with a new pastor, there may be changes and challenges to the status quo. Even if the new pastor doesn’t change anything, the mere fact of their presence will feel like change. Some may be uncomfortable and resist changes. But I encourage you to trust, as David did, as the disciples who were sent out did, as Paul did, that God is with you.

For yourselves, consider how much you trust God to guide you? Does Jesus provide your motivation, or does it come from something else? Amen