My Friend Andy and Motives

Posted on 22. Sep, 2007 by frank in friendship, spiritual growth

My friend Andy Raatz and his family are missionaries in Moldova. I was a volunteer for him when he was a youth pastor during my time in the Air Force. He and his wife were a great example of Christian marriage to Shelli and I when we were dating. Now it is hard to believe that Andy, his wife Nancy, and their kids are on the other side of the world doing God’s work.

On his blog Andy recently wrote on the topic of Vision and I thought I would share it with you:

Why do we do what we do?
I don’t mean that in a simple rhetorical way, but a serious question. What are our motivations? What are the reasons we live and work and minister?

I have been asking myself those questions lately. I have seen many BAD motivations in other leaders. One man was motivated by his need for significance. He needed success and recognition like food and water (or so he thought). He wasn’t happy if another way praised. In fact, without his position of leadership, I truly believe he would have been lost.

I know of another person that was motivated by power and control. He would position himself continually to retain control over others, both through organization and manipulation. I’ve known many people motivated by severe self-interest. Self-interest isn’t bad, but when people are always thinking of one more dollar, one more note of self-recognition, one more feather in their cap.

What are my motivations? Am I out to prove something? Do I need some person’s thanks? Am I trying to “succeed” for the sake of success? Do I give money so Moldovans will like me? Do I write stories so people will say “Andy is a great missionary?”

I hope I can answer all those questions with a negative, but I have decided to ask myself those deep hard questions over and over again. I want to keep the fire on my motivations, so they are aligned with God’s motivations. I want my motivations to be:

I serve, because I love the serve.
I minister, without thinking of the need to hear “thanks.”
I give, without anyone needing to know. I share, wanting only God to get the glory.
I live, full of the joy of Christ and His peace.

What motivates you?