Why We Do What We Do?

Do you ever wonder why we do what we do? All around us we see the poisoned fruits that grow from diseased decisions. People hurt; lives ruined; abounding disillusionment. Yet we, who choose to follow the Bible’s ways, may be seen as beings from another world. (In truth, we are!) Yet even in the face of criticism, incredulity, and sometimes animosity, we continue doing what we know is right.

I like the British command for horses to get moving. They simply say, “Walk On.” Somehow that seems so appropriate. Not, “Giddy up!”, but “Walk on!”

The following words were found in Robert Griffin III’s locker when he left Redskins Park. He was a star footballer whose career ended due to a string of injuries. He was known as a strong Christian, but he was tested by the collapse of his dreams. These words are also attributed to Mother Teresa.

“People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
FORGIVE THEM ANYWAY.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
BE KIND ANYWAY.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends, and some genuine enemies.
SUCCEED ANYWAY.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.
BE HONEST AND SINCERE ANYWAY.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
CREATE ANYWAY.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
BE HAPPY ANYWAY.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
DO GOOD ANYWAY.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
GIVE YOUR BEST ANYWAY.
In the final analysis, it’s between you and God.
IT WAS NEVER BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY.”

I was thinking . . .

What do we do anyway, caring only for God’s approval?

Why do we give our time, our strength, our money?

Why do we do battle with our fears, be they many or few? Some fears are constant battles; some are short, tough skirmishes. But we face them and go on. Anyway.

There are hundreds more, “Why do we . . .?” questions we could ask.

But our answers come down to this:

Our deepest desire is to love, honor, and serve our Father.

Our lives are not lived to do as we please. Our hope and goal is that our lives will lead many more to follow God and His plans for their lives.

The world will not understand us. Even some of our friends and relatives cannot understand our passion. Some, misunderstanding our passion, get quite angry at our choices. And, wherever we are in this increasingly hostile world, trouble or persecution can break out at any moment.

But at the end of the day, at the end of this life, we want to hear, “Well, done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.” We do it for Jesus.

As Paul said, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” — Galatians 6: 9

Don Harris and Marty Nystrom wrote a great song about that. Here are the words.

Don’t grow weary in doing well,
Don’t surrender in the fight;
Keep on storming the gates of hell,
Keep on doing what you know is right.

For there will be seasons of testing
And there maybe weeping for a night,
But soon we’ll be reaping the blessing
If we keep pressing on towards the prize.

Keep on praying in the Spirit,
Keep on walking in the light;
Don’t be fearful or discouraged,
Keep on doing what you know is right.