Have you ever experienced burnout? Perhaps, you’re going through it now, or headed that direction. One reason people burn out is they lose touch with their why. For others, they don’t really have one -they lack vision. Do you know why you are doing the things you’re doing right now, or why you did things? What reason do you tell yourself as to why you’re on your current course of life? Why are you on this road? Introspection can be very powerful if you are honest with yourself. Are you motivated or inspired? There’s a difference, and each plays a role in whether you have energy or are depleted of it.
Inspiration is a divine influence or action on a person. It is action or power of moving the intellect or emotions -influence. It draws or breathes in. To inspire means to breathe or blow into or upon: infuse life by breathing. To be inspired, therefore, relates to an extraordinary quality or excellence, as if arising from some external creative impulse -Divine inspiration.
Motivation is incentive or drive. It’s the motivating force or influence. To motivate simply means to provide a motive, and a motive is something (need or desire) that causes someone to act. Motivation can be internal or external.
Motivation pushes or drives you; inspiration leads you to higher places. Motivation requires energy; inspiration gives you energy. Your reason why is important, and plays a role in how effective you are. It connects with the importance of vision. It would be easy to get lost in the mechanics of doing things, while getting stuck in the details. This can lead to lethargy. Please understand that methodology and attention to details are important, but neither of these are an end in themselves. Consider Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Renewed strength requires waiting on the Lord. Waiting is not sedentary; it’s active anticipation, looking for God’s next move; but not moving until He says so. It’s a state of rest, based on faith. It’s listening first, and then acting or obeying. It’s a place of communion where your vision is ever before you because the One Who gave it to you is front and center.
Why am I doing this is a great question; however, a greater one would be, for Whom am I doing this? There is nothing wrong with motivation, sometimes we do need to push through. Nevertheless, inspiration will give you the strength to push and refresh you afterward. Keep your vision in front of you. At the same time, clarify where the vison is from. In other words, make sure it’s inspired by God, and that is another lesson for another day.
Isaiah 40:28 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
