A few weeks ago I went to a prayer breakfast in a city not far from where I live. As I walked there I passed a church that was not my tradition but reminded me of a dearly loved grandfather who had been committed to that denomination. I noted there was a service of silence later that day and I just felt I should go if I had the opportunity. The prayer breakfast was on a subject close to my heart and I was challenged by all that was shared and it was good to pray with others. I then had a coffee with two delegates that I had never met before and was inspired by the stories of a living God at work in their lives.

I then went to the service of silence and during this time I was challenged to do nothing out of vain ambition but to make it my ambition to seek God and what he would ask of me. I was deeply challenged. It was like having open heart surgery and exposed so many of my motives and agendas. And yet it was a relief to be found out. Woe is me for I am undone for I am a man of unclean lips…. I looked later at Philippians 2:3 says “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others”.

I am trying to ask myself the question what is my motivation? At times it is like a spotlight that reveals bits that are not so beautiful and yet as I give these bits to God and ask him to give me a servant heart and consider others this helps me discern his will and what to do. We can chase so many things and they can become meaningless a chasing after the wind. It is not about achieving but surrendering all we are into his service that others can be touched by his love through whatever we do whether at work, at home or in the community.