Eric’s Sunday Sermon; Ulterior Motive
Does a Creek Have a Motive?
Right Motive?
Just the sound of ulterior motive sounds evil. But the concept itself, although often wrapped up in deceit, is not negative. Suppose you invite a friend to a cup of coffee at your local deli. The reason is not to chit chat and get together but rather to hold her up so they can get the surprise party ready. How about helping someone because it makes you feel good but you really do not care about them.
I find myself thinking of how happy my wife will be to see all the floors cleaned when she gets home. And you guessed it, I really do not care if they are all shiny and super clean. My motive is not to clean the floors it is to make my wife happy.
There are certain classes of people that go to church. Some we call hypocrites as their lifestyle is anything but what was taught there. That kind of action does seem a little twisted. On the other hand regardless of their motive they at least get a taste of spirituality, which is better than none at all. And the same with helping people for reasons other than their wellbeing.
Far too often movies throw gratuitous violence and sex scenes to grab those who get off on that stuff. You know, like slowing down to look at a horrible car wreck. But they add nothing to the story line. Producers claim to produce art but in fact are creating a spectacle that sells.
I like online folks that write basically just for money. They stuff keywords in, in order to do the SEO deal. They claim to be imparting something of worth where the only worth are dollars worth. Most folks drive safely regarding the speed limit so they don’t get a ticket. Not to be safer.
Now you know that I like the ulterior motive concept involving prayers. Some really smart person may tell you that you are praying wrong. There are a few scripture references. Perhaps one should prayer in gratitude and confession. Well I am a father several times over. And there is nothing better than one of my children asking me for help. My dad told me that was how he felt. Mostly about what may or may not be right or wrong. But a whole lot about how to approach an issue so it is not a problem.
I Do Believe These Guys & Gals are Motivated By Happy
Motivate
Accidental Good?
So it brings to mind that if our intentions are not pure then we probably somehow are lying to ourselves. That is dangerous. Maybe we do not even understand any motive. I do this strange thing. I do things automatically without thinking about it. Like a habit. And also I multitask way too much. What motive could I even assert if I do those two things on a daily basis?
There is a lot of talk in spiritual and psychological walks of life about being in the moment. That sounds a lot like having an honest motive. It seems true to most of us that if we really stop and think about something our motive normally will be a good one. I would bet that if I vacuumed with a full intention of making my floors clean that I would do a better job and enjoy it more.
Are intention and motive the same thing? It looks somewhat to be the case. But no they are not. We have an intention to do something. Why we are doing it is the motive. If they get blurry. We had better do an inventory of the why? That “why” seems so important. Some folks claim that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. If you think on that you will see it is a crock of something. But it makes a valid point that we should be careful of the why.
Some people in the holiest of holy thoughts claim that an atheist cannot act for the good because there is no moral beacon. Altruism boils down to a selfless act at one’s own peril to assist in the wellbeing of another. Well we could see that maybe that might pave the road. Strange here, but I do not like department store type presents. Selflessly give me one and it will probably just bug me that the person does not know me well. My eldest brother is an atheist to the core. He is one of the kindest and caring men I know. He also acts all gruff and grumpy. He is an honest motive man.
It kind of rings a note that most Christmas presents are done in the motive of tradition and not altruistically. But maybe that is not so bad. My sister starts buying cool cultural handmade type stuff if it reminds her of someone. That is a good motive and tradition. And then that reminds me of her in love. The four dollar trinket from Mexico is better than any massed produced gift.
Motivation?
Love This
A Good Turn
Ubuntu is a great So African indegeous term. It closely resemble the Chistian term “May the peace of the Lord be with you. That is if you agree that as Jesus taught God is love. And that cool ancient word apparently from Sanskrit, Namaste. Multiple meanings for all three but you can adopt the idea that all are for the purpose of sending and receiving love. Our wonderful community of loving souls. However if that is not in your motive, clearly there is an ulterior motive or just a habit repeating over and over again. It is really rather fun to play with. “Why did I do that”.
In my case far too often I, through a genetic and nurtured sense of empathy can feel a deceptive ulterior motivation from a city block away. And how I respond is animal instinct. What is my motive in calling them out on theirs? Personally I think it goes down into my animal/reptile fight of flight instinct. I do not have a real motive other than primal protection. Why would deceit cause that I wonder. Truly I should have reason or motive. Which brings us to a clincher. If I do not reason I have no motive. If I lie to myself I have a misguided motive. If I do it for another unseen apparent reason then I am a liar by default.
If I let you get away with an ulterior motive that I know, who do I hurt? It seems like both of us. Only a truly gifted and moral man would turn down a hundred dollar bribe to do the right thing. Something he had already decided he would do. Does the dollar change his motive? Now that is a good. Can you change your motive for your intention while doing it? A good alcoholic changes at about ten drinks from wanting it to needing it. The OCD sufferer simply has no motive except “need to”.
Well it is surely my motivation in writing this to have you join me in evaluating our personal motives. I would hope that like me your motivation in this matter is not to conclude or pass judgment on yourself. If you take “no judgment but only reasoned evaluation” you will soar above your previous thoughts by motivation to do better.
And as a last kicker; my son motivates me to do better. I wonder if that makes him a saint like his native land name for him. A saint of America to the Vietnamese. My Son. (mee Soun).
So as our bottom line here let us go motivate ourselves and others to have as much love as they can have and the rest will fall into place. I do reckon that is my job here. I hope that is my reason