I’m getting older, and I found myself in the doctor’s office for a stress test. That means the nurse attaches a dozen electrodes to different parts of your body using Super Glue that will require a week’s worth of scrubbing in the shower to remove. Then you are asked to step onto a treadmill and walk briskly while they “monitor your vitals” – that’s another way of saying “documenting the heart attack you are about to have.”
At the far end of the treadmill was a motivational poster of some stairs climbing up from the beach. I understand it was a reference from the movie “Something’s Gotta Give.” Jack Nicholson is told he will be healthy enough for sex if he can climb the stairs. I didn’t know that at the time. It just wasn’t very motivating, and I told the nurse, “Stairs! Stairs? Are you kidding me? I’m a diabetic. Stairs won’t motivate me to pass this test! Put a double-bacon cheeseburger up there, and I’ll run to the moon and back!”
She stepped out of the room for a moment and came back in with a color copy of a double-bacon cheeseburger and taped it over the stairs. I passed the test with flying colors.
So, what motivates you to be a disciple? Are you on a quest to meet the Lord? Are you thinking of heaven and your eternal reward? Are you inspired by the amazing love we have in Christ? I often wonder what led those men and women to willingly forfeit their lives rather than deny their Lord. What’s your motivation? Drop me a line!