Need a Little Motivation?

Go with Mercy, Not Muscle

I’ve given motivational talks in schools, businesses, graduations, churches, and prisons. Over the years, a few life-lines have stayed with me—phrases that start people moving when they’re stuck:
    •    Henry Blackaby said, “Find out where God is working and join Him there.”
    •    John Eldredge said, “Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.”
    •    Jesus leaving Gethsemane for Calvary said: “Rise, let us be going” (Matthew 26:42).
    •    J. I. Pack said, “Live slowly enough to think deeply about God.”

Nothing gets you started, sustains your momentum, and helps you finish strong like a clear motive. Even Jesus said during His trial before Pilate, “For this cause I came into the world.” Purpose matters.

Research confirms what Scripture already knew: people—especially seniors—who have something to live for, a cause, a reason, a why, thrive far more than those merely waiting to die.

And I can’t think of a better motive—no better carrot to chase—than the mercies of God.

That’s why Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God…” (Romans 12:1).
The word by comes from the Greek dia—meaning the highest reason, the ultimate motivation. Everything that follows flows out of what has already been received.

Paul is clearly in transition mode. Therefore is a bridge word. It connects belief to behavior, theology to practice, classroom to real life. After eleven chapters unpacking God’s mercies—justification, grace, adoption, love, election, sovereignty—Paul now says, “Move.”

One writer describes these mercies as “God’s unmerited nature—a glorious channel of goodness.” That’s the fuel.

Life itself is a river. We’re always moving—youth to adulthood, marriage to divorce, spring to summer, strength to weakness, life to death. Transitions are not interruptions; they are the curriculum. First we are disciples—then we are the display.

And here’s the endgame: transformation.

All these mercies are meant to move us to present ourselves—fully, freely, and finally—as living sacrifices: holy, acceptable, and surrendered to God.

A sacrifice, by definition, is an offering wholly given over. Once presented, the giver releases all claims and rights. It’s no longer theirs to manage—it belongs to God, to be disposed of for His honor and purposes. Paul urges the Romans—and us—to live that way: no longer clinging to ownership of ourselves, but yielding our lives to God’s will, whatever that may include.

Here’s the long and short of it:
Once you’re correctly motivated, you’re ready to visibly model transformation.

Romans 12:1–2 is not just a memory verse—it’s a lifelong framework for worship. It shapes how we use our gifts, honor God’s creative order, love people who are different from us, and live grace-forward lives in a fractured world.

So if you’re honestly trying to get up off the couch, regain momentum, or finish strong, don’t rely on muscle.

Go with mercy.

Grace to you,
Cedric
TraditionalWriter@yahoo.com