|
| |
| Motivation
~ David Sims
|
 Possibly
the single most important goal for parents and teachers, is that of
properly motivating our children, or students. There are entire books
written on the subject. I recently saw one advertised about the
motivation secrets of great leaders. The world’s great men were highly
motivated.
Some of the greatest minds this world has seen were highly motivated,
and self-taught. Benjamin Franklin, a scientist, author, inventor,
musician, and linguist, was responsible for numerous inventions that are
still used today. His experiments in the field of electricity changed
the face of America. His leadership in the Revolution, in forming our
government and in the abolition of slavery, all helped to make the U.S.
a benevolent, and truly wonderful nation. Franklin had only one year of
formal education. He was self-taught.
Albert Einstein, whose scientific genius changed the face of the world,
was a self-taught theoretical physicist. Isaac Newton, a mathematical
genius who has had a profound influence in every area of mathematics,
the fields of optics, mechanics, chemistry, and religion, though
schooled, always spoke of himself as being self-taught. And our greatest
example, Jesus himself was self taught. He did not even attend the
schools of his day.
These accomplishments are not possible without being highly motivated.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have children who were motivated enough to
reach such intellectual heights? But as Christians, we have even higher
goals for our children. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all
thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)
This calls for the devotion of body, mind and soul to the service of
God. How can we motivate our children to reach the highest attainments
possible in physical, and spiritual as well as intellectual realms? I
have found that the most powerful motivating factor is love. Nothing can
equal this. People will make enormous sacrifices for someone they love.
But human love will fail us. Circumstances may separate us from those we
love. Human relationships can be strained, and broken. But God’s love
will never fail us.
If we can instill in the hearts of our children supreme love and
devotion to God, they will aspire to the greatest heights. They will
study—not to gain the applause of men, or out of curiosity or
competition—but to know how they can best serve God and their fellow
men. Former World Trade Organization director general Mike Moore, said,
“our greatest motivation is the people we serve.” How much greater
motivation ought we to have as Christians, for the people we serve are
those for whom Christ died?
Our ideas of education take too narrow and too low a range. There is
need of a broader scope, a higher aim. True education means more than
the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a
preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being,
and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the
harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual
powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and
for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come. (see Education
p.13)
The source of such an education is brought to view in these words of
Scripture, pointing to the Infinite One: In Him “are hid all the
treasures of wisdom.” (Colossians 2:3) “He hath counsel and
understanding.” (Job 12:13)
When we have this philosophy of education, the subject takes on whole
new meaning. The Scriptures are full of records of angels visiting man
to bring messages, protect, and comfort. Their whole existence seems to
be one of constant service. What motivates them? They never cease to be
filled with awe and admiration of the One on the throne. “... they rest
not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which
was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)
Concerning the character of God revealed in His plan of Redemption for
this fallen race, the Scripture tells us they are things which “the
angels desire to look into.” (1 Peter 1:12) God, and His character will
be the theme of the saved through endless ages. Heaven is a place of
ceaseless learning. Every new creation, every new principle put into
action offers a storehouse of knowledge to unfold to the inquisitive
mind. Those whose only interest is to serve God, the One they love, with
all their might, will be constantly growing in knowledge that they might
more and more reflect His image and be better fitted to serve Him each
new day.
Think of this. If our children are motivated to want to learn all they
possibly could in every subject, wouldn’t that make the job of teaching
them a hundred times easier? It is not only easier to educate a child
who wants to learn something, it becomes impossible to keep them from
learning! Consider how public education revolves around grades. In fact
it would probably fall apart without them. Why do teachers give grades?
Is it not to motivate? But to many that is not a motivator, and to
others, it is not enough to stimulate them to do their best.
Ex-President James Carter when interviewed by a navy admiral mentioned
that he had graduated 59th out of a class of 820. The admiral only asked
if he had done his best. He had to admit he had not. There must be a
higher motivating factor than good grades.
When our children realize the infinite love of God for them, and what
will please Him, then they will be motivated to reach the highest
possible attainments in every line, so that they might better serve Him.
No wonder “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the
knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)
Then let us begin right now to present the wisdom, and matchless charms
of the love of God to our children! |
|
