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When I was a freshman in college I was faced with what I considered to be a very important decision at the time. Throughout all of high school, I had been a cheerleader. I loved sports but I wasn't very good at playing them. At least not well enough to even consider trying out for a team. However, I was coordinated, I could jump really high and I could yell really loud which led me to follow the path of a cheerleader. When I went off to college, I knew I wanted to be involved in extracurricular activities but deciding what to do was a much bigger decision because I had so much to choose from.

I didn't have an interest in joining a sorority. And since I had so much experience in cheerleading, I thought, it would be a great way to support my team and get involved. I went through weeks of training and practicing preparing for my audition. I was also considering some other organizations that might help me further my career. One in particular focused on marketing – which I had already decided as my major.

The night before my audition, I found myself at an introductory meeting for this marketing fraternity (a business fraternity consisting of guys and girls). The woman who spoke was from the corporate headquarters and the one thing I remember her saying was "you only get out of it, what you put into it."

When I woke up the next day, this message stuck with me. There was something about that statement I just couldn't shake. I ended up canceling my cheerleading audition and made the decision to join this marketing fraternity. I realized it was something I could put myself into and I knew the rewards would be great if I did. I stayed with this organization throughout my 4 years of college and it was one of the best decisions I could have made at that point in my life.

I spent the next four years serving in a variety of positions. I was the secretary and was forced to read the minutes at each meeting. (As much as I hated it, it helped me overcome my fear of speaking.) I served as the VP of Marketing (Which provided me with incredible opportunities to write marketing plans and put them into practice.) And finally, I served as President and found myself leading my chapter to National Convention where we took home more awards than our chapter had ever taken home and to this day it has yet to be surpassed. These awards were not just mine - they were the entire chapter's to receive. Why? Because everyone gave so much in all we did. I believe this is why we won so many awards.

I share this story to illustrate a point with you – "you only get out of it, what you put into it." Again, this statement replays in my mind. Despite my not being engaged in a walk with the Lord at that time, it surprises me to this day, just how biblical this statement sounds. Take for example what was written in Acts.

While the "awards" we received were great… the better blessing came from the experiences we gained. And the only reason we gained anything was because in everything we did, we gave of ourselves.

This has never been truer for me than in my walk with Jesus. In the last couple of weeks I've faced several situations where I had to ask myself, "why am I doing this?" Is it because of the "reward" I believe I will receive or is it because I want to give my life away for the Lord?

Over and over, scripture shows us that God calls us to service. The rewards are great when we are obedient to God – but that's not the motivation He's looking for. He wants us to give our lives away because of Him. It's what Jesus did! If we desire to have an authentic relationship with Christ, shouldn't our goal be to emulate Him, to model our lives after Him, to seek with all our heart, soul, mind and strength to be more and more like Him with every breath we take?

My goal is Christ in you (me), the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27 NIV). I want to live a life that is not motivated by what I can get out of it but is dedicated to serving my God, praising my God and worshiping my God. I want to enjoy Him, His love, His presence, His grace, and all the good gifts He has for me (Matthew 7:11). But not because I deserve them or can even earn them. If that were my attitude, I doubt I would ever see any blessings at all.

So let me ask you a couple of questions and before you answer them, think long and hard about your answer… ask God to search your heart and see what lies within (Psalm 139:23).

Why do you go to church? Is it because you like the people? It's close to home? If you're single, is it because you might potentially meet your future spouse? Is it because you like the music? Are you there to give or receive? I suppose I could go on, but I think you get the picture. The reason I ask these questions is because some of these used to be my motivation for going to church. And for a long time even though I got something out of the message, I couldn't understand why my worship seemed so empty. I can't tell you when the light bulb went on for me, but one day it just clicked and realized that I was going to church for the wrong reasons. Once I changed my motivation for going from what I could get out of it to what I could put into it through serving, praising and worshipping God things began to change. My worship finally had meaning.

Here's another question. Why should you go on a mission trip? Is it because you'd like to take a mini-vacation? Is it because your best friend is going? Is it because you want to be changed and you've heard this is a great way? Why go? Is it for what you can get out of it, or what you can give?

I've been on several mission trips and I'm always curious to hear what has prompted someone to go on a trip. For me, I clearly heard God tell me to go to Africa. I didn't have any "witnessing" experience. I didn't know Swahili. I didn't know so many things I thought a person who was going to a foreign country might need to go. However, I trusted God and was obedient to His call. I'm afraid for those who go on mission trips for any other reason than being called by God to go.

Now, don't get me wrong, I believe we are all called to the mission field. In fact, one of the last things Jesus tells us is "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15 NIV

He also told the disciples in Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." NIV

In dissecting this verse here is what I've discovered. Jesus says you are to witness in Jerusalem – which could be described as your home area or your city. Next, He says in all Judea – which would be the cities and communities surrounding yours and then in Samaria – which are cities surrounding your city that are culturally different or even antagonistic toward you and finally to the uttermost part of the earth — the whole world. So, we are all called to go – the question is where? Where is God calling you? Not, where do you want to go?

In closing, I'd just like for each of you to think about your motivations in life… what motivates you to do the things you do, to say the things you say? Is it for what you can give or what you can receive? It is my prayer you are looking to give more than expecting to receive.

Dear Lord, help us all to see clearly where You would have us go. Change us; change our hearts, our minds and attitudes to reflect those of Christ. Remind us daily, He came to serve, not to be served and how great it is an honor to be a servant of Christ. In Jesus I pray! Amen.

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

God Inhabits The Ordinary