After watching one of the greatest miracles this last week, the birth of my third child, I am so motivated by the awesomeness of God and His incredible love for us.  There is no more prevalent everyday miracle than the birth of a child.  From the miracle of their growth inside the womb, to the moment they struggle out into this world for their first breath, it reminds all of us who witness it of the fragile nature of life and our true lack of control over it.

As I have sat in awe holding my newborn son over the last week, I have pondered many things about the Lord and His purpose for our lives.  It seems right that in His creating life for us He would design it to be a statement of His glory and useful for His kingdom.  I watch Eli as he sleeps, wakes, squirms, and wrestles to discover this new world he is in, and I realize that He is totally dependent on his mother and I for his existence.  No pressure right?  And so it is in our relationship to our Heavenly Father...we are totally dependent on Him for our very existence.

You see, something has to motivate us each day.  As a parent, I am motivated to give my children the best I can, and to prepare them for the life ahead.  As a church leader, I am motivated to move the congregations I serve to become everyday Christ followers that make a difference in this world.  But as a child of God, a son of His through Jesus Christ, I am motivated by a Father that daily cares for me, shows me His love, and guides my path...my existence in this world.

Today as I prepare to preach, I am motivated by Jesus Christ.  He is the author of all good gifts.  He is the only one worthy to open the doors of heaven to us.  He is the only one who takes our sins away and makes them no more.  He is the only one empowering His followers to be His light in this dark world.  He is the only one worthy of worship.

My mission is to nurture, develop, and use everything He has given me to serve Him and advance His kingdom.  Sometimes it takes the birth of a child to remind us of our mission, and to motivate us afresh.  My prayer for you is that He allows circumstances in your life to motivate you toward Him so that you may be on mission for Him.

~Michael~