Finding Extra Motivation

In sports, motivation is always a huge factor.

While teams are almost uniformly motivated by the prospect of winning a championship, individual players can have a slew of motivating factors that boost their focus, training, and intensity during the season.

Some players are motivated by the pursuit of greatness or the desire to obtain a certain legacy. Others seem to receive an extra boost whenever they are exposed to negative press or critical comments from outsiders. 

But one motivating factor often discussed in the sports world is the motivation that comes during a player’s “contract season.”

Whenever a player enters the final year of a contract, they have added motivation to perform well, as their performance during that “contract season” will have a massive impact on the financial structure of their next deal. 

So real is the motivation in the final year of a player’s contract that ESPN recently released an article about “NBA Contract Year All-Stars.” In it, they discussed several current NBA players performing at a high level in the final year of their contracts.

Perhaps the most obvious case of a player who is benefiting from the extra motivation of a “contract season” is Memphis Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome. In his first seven seasons in the league, Jerome averaged just under 10 points per game and was generally regarded as a solid bench role player.

But through the first seven games of his “contract season,” Jerome is currently averaging a remarkable 27.4 points per game, ranking him inside the top ten in the league in scoring.

The point isn’t to insinuate that certain players only give legitimate effort when large amounts of money are on the line. Rather, it’s a simple acknowledgment that we all tend to perform at a higher level when the motivation is higher.

As followers of Jesus, we should be grateful that the Bible is filled with passages that encourage and motivate us.

One topic, however, that we usually don't think about when it comes to motivation for Christian living is the end times and Christ's return. 

While many believers have differing views when it comes to end times events, one thing that is both clear and consistent in Scripture is that when the Bible speaks about the return of Christ or end times events, it always does so in such a manner as to motivate us to live godly and holy lives in the here and now. 

In Matthew 24:42-44 (ESV), Jesus spoke about His return by saying, “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

In the preceding verses, Jesus encourages His disciples to strive for faithfulness in light of the uncertain timing of His return.

When we consider that Jesus could return to earth at any time, it should motivate us to be found living wisely and faithfully if He were to do so during our lifetime. Though we understand that our salvation isn’t produced by our works, we should desire to live lives of productive faithfulness in response to what He has done for us.

Another example of the motivation that is provided for us by meditating on the return of Christ is found in 1 John 3:2-3 (NASB): “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

Thinking about the glorification that will occur in Christ's presence motivates us. It fuels us to strive after greater holiness and sanctification in this life, yielding to the Holy Spirit's work within us.

And even though true believers in Jesus won’t face the ultimate judgment of God, we can still think about the coming judgment in such a way as to be motivated by a proper fear of the Lord, recognizing His power and what He will one day do to those who haven’t believed in the Son, and being grateful for the mercy He will show to us.

In a passage that talks about the judgment that will take place on the day of the Lord, 2 Peter 3:11-14 (NIV) says, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

"That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.”

Today, let’s take a little bit of time to think deeply about the return of Christ, and how it should motivate us to become more godly, pure, and faithful as we continue in our mortal bodies on earth. 

As we do so, may God use those thoughts to gradually conform us into the image of Christ for His glory, so that we won’t shrink back in shame when we stand before Him (1 John 2:28).

I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for what You have done for me in Christ. Please help me be more intentional about the return of Christ, and may those thoughts motivate me to live more wholeheartedly for You in the here and now. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.