Christian Teenagers with True and Strong Motivation

Teenagers are often associated with a character that is unstable, emotionally troubled, and lacking strong motivation in life. They change easily and are easily influenced. Yet teenagers are also known for their energy, creativity, and courage in abundance. If these strengths of teenagers can be put to good use, together with true and strong motivation in life, a teenager can change the world. 

The Importance of True and Strong Motivation

Life motivation greatly influences everything a person does in living out life. Whether we realize it or not, everyone certainly has a particular motivation for living. But what kind of motivation do we have? Is it true and strong, in accordance with God's will?

A right action is not necessarily driven by the right motivation. For example, the desire to be successful can be motivated by wanting to get revenge on people who once insulted us. But our God is a God who sees the heart. Therefore, even from our teenage years, we need to have the right motivation. 

… Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. – 1 Samuel 16:7b

Why do we need strong motivation? Right motivation alone is not enough. It is not necessarily a guarantee that we will reach the goal. Even if our motivation is right, often challenges and failure can crush all our spirit. So, how can we have motivation that is true and strong?

We will learn from Yusuf. A 17-year-old teenager (Genesis 37:2), who is very inspiring, who had true and strong motivation in life. 

3 Ways to Have True and Strong Motivation in Life

1. Have God's Dream

As the son of a successful livestock owner, Yusuf may have been raised to become a livestock owner as well. Most likely, Yusuf's life goal was to become a livestock owner too, just like his father. 

But one day Yusuf dreamed of eleven sheaves of grain bowing down to his sheaf. He also saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down before him. Those two dreams changed his dream (Genesis 37:1-11). 

Both his father and his brothers did not regard his dreams as mere dreams in the night, but saw them as Yusuf's dream of becoming a leader over them. Yusuf eagerly told them because he believed God had given that dream to Yusuf. God's dream now became his life purpose. His life's motivation was to do His will. 

Why is having God's dream so important? Because a dream that comes from God is certainly right. Without the right motivation, we may use all kinds of wrong ways to achieve that dream. 

“A life not lived for others is not a life” - Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa's right life motivation made her give her whole life to helping others. 

What is your life motivation today? Do you know what God's dream is for your life? As teenagers, God has many dreams for you. God wants you to be teenagers who inspire in the Lord. God wants us to be salt and light for the world. Saving teenagers from the danger of spiritual hunger. Do you have and live out God's dream today?

Before I formed you in your mother's womb, I knew you, and before you came out of the womb, I consecrated you, I appointed you a prophet to the nations. – Jeremiah 1:5

2. Believe That God's Plan Is Always Good

Was Yusuf able to reach his dream easily? Not at all! Yusuf experienced challenges and success coming one after another. He was hated and nearly killed, but was spared by being sold. He lived as a slave and far from his family, but God made him successful as the head of Potiphar's house. He was falsely accused by his master's wife and imprisoned, but God made him trusted by the head of the prison. He was forgotten by the cupbearer he had helped, but God made him Pharaoh's right-hand man. 

After 13 years, at the age of 30 (Genesis 41:46), Yusuf's dream finally became reality. Yusuf saw all the bad things that happened to him as part of God's plan to bring good to the nation of Israel. When Yusuf was 39 years old, his whole family migrated to Egypt and was saved from the disaster of famine. For 22 years Yusuf lived a life full of challenges, but that was exactly what enabled him to see God's presence. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good  of those who love Him, of those who are called  according to His purpose of God – Romans 8:28

The first thing we need to have is the right motivation, namely one that comes from God, as we discussed in the first point. However, that does not mean that when our motivation is right, everything will surely run smoothly, without challenges. 

When we become teenagers who live rightly, there will surely be people who think we are strange, self-righteous, and not fun. However, just like Yusuf, we need to believe that God's plan is always good. This will help us have strong motivation that is not easily shaken by problems. 

Even with many challenges, keep living in hope in the Lord. Do not doubt it, you are never abandoned by Him. Motivate yourself to keep your spirit up by remembering His promises, if you are tempted to give up because life is hard. Enjoy His process, do not complain, and keep moving forward!

3. Grow the Character of Christ

Strong motivation in life was not enough to bring Yusuf to become a successful person in his youth. Without good character, Yusuf might have given up when facing intense pressure. However, Yusuf's character did not appear naturally. It was his closeness to God that grew his character. 

What kinds of character did Yusuf train in his youth?

1. Responsibility

Yusuf never blamed circumstances or anyone else for the bad things that happened in his life. He understood that continuing to fight or giving up is our own choice. Take full responsibility for our lives. When bad things or difficulties happen, do we blame other people or circumstances?

Blaming others will only make you pity yourself and eventually give up. You will lose the right motivation in life, and even lose the motivation to live.

2. Resilience

Yusuf never became weak or even broken when facing wave after wave of challenges for about twenty years. Train yourself to face them, and in that way you will become stronger and stronger. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. 

3. Sincere

Yusuf did everything without ulterior motives. When his life was hard, he did not grumble against God. He sincerely loved God and his family. When his family hurt him, he did not hate them or retaliate. A sincere and pure heart will make you always have true and strong motivation in life.

Are these characters also in us? Come on, let us grow the character of Christ and become inspiring teenagers!

TEENAGERS WITH TRUE AND STRONG MOTIVATION IN LIFE

Why do we need to become teenagers with true and strong motivation in life? 

It is no coincidence that you are reading this article. It is also no coincidence that God created you as you are today, with all your strengths and weaknesses. God has a great and beautiful plan for your life. 

You can be used by God to save many other teenagers from spiritual hunger and dehydration. Saving others from juvenile delinquency, free sex, drugs, and many other things that will destroy their lives. 

Let no one look down on you  because you are young. Be an example to the believers, in your speech, in your conduct, in your love, in your faithfulness and in your purity – 1 Timothy 4:12

Let us build dreams in the Lord. Believe that His plan is always good and focus on growing spiritual character within you. Choose to have true and strong motivation in life in the Lord, and be an example for others. The Lord Jesus bless you. 

References: 

https://mobquotes.com/mother-teresa-quotes/

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