Straight from a Meaningful Heart
By Lisa Elliott
I’m not exactly sure at what point it all began. But at some point, during this pandemic I began asking, “What’s the point?” For instance, what’s the point of getting dressed and putting make-up on when I won’t be going anywhere? What’s the point of looking good when I won’t be seeing anyone? What’s the point of cleaning my house when no one is coming over? What’s the point of investing in anything when there just doesn’t seem to be any point?
At some point or another, feelings of lethargy, disinterest, indifference, and defeat replaced what used to be energy, incentive, meaning, and purpose.
I don’t want to speak for all of us, but I’m guessing it’s not just me experiencing this pointless existence. I think you’ll agree that it’s become more and more challenging to motivate ourselves when all the things that used to motivate us have been removed, or at minimum, been altered. That would include people, programs, and purposeful activities that have all been put on hold. When life loses its meaning, we lose our motivation. Because, after all, what’s the point?
But, at some point, we need to push past this meaningless state to find meaning in life again. Here are a few things I’ve discovered that might help us all get motivated and back to our “A” game.
Awareness: Lack of motivation takes over subtly. It’s not like one day you’re feeling motivated and the next you’re not. Therefore, we need to be self-aware of our mental, emotional, and physical state. We have to get to the point where we get sick and tired of being sick and tired. We also need to maintain a healthy sense of others-awareness, or else we become very self-absorbed. A verse I’ve been alerted to that has made me more aware is, Philippians 2:3-4 that says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Good point, right?
My second point is this:
Accountability: Motivation doesn’t always come from within. Sometimes it takes someone outside of us to point out where things have slipped and to hold us to our actions or what we say we’ll do. Words without action are merely words. Promises only mean something when they’re fulfilled. Therefore, it’s important we have someone we can report in to. We need someone who will not simply validate our feelings and listen to our words, but who will help us move beyond them. We need someone who will pray us through them. We need someone who will rejoice with us in our victories, no matter how small. Check in on us to make sure we’re sticking with the program and hold us accountable. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).
My final point is:
Action: You may have heard the saying, “Don’t wait until you feel good to do something; do something and then you’ll feel good.” The problem is, when we’re not feeling good about life or about ourselves, it’s hard to get motivated. Getting back in the game may seem overwhelming at the start. So, take baby steps. Any action we take in the right direction will be good for us. We are what we think. And what we think will determine our behaviour and our actions. Therefore, “brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9). Make it a point to do one thing for you or for someone else today. “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:17).
So what’s the point? I’m happy to say that there’s a point to all of this. This is not the first time mankind has ever faced a pointless existence. After all, there is nothing new under the sun, said Solomon in Ecclesiastes. He came to the same conclusion as some of us are making in these meaningless days. Leisure, relationships, work, riches, “All of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14b). Solomon’s ultimate point is that these things are pointless without God. The Lord wants us to find meaning and purpose. He motivates us to make life worth living. Without Him, there really is no point at all!
About this Contributor:
Lisa Elliott is an inspirational speaker and award-winning author of The Ben Ripple and Dancing in the Rain. Additionally, she has written articles for Just Between Us Magazine and devotionals for theStory. She and her pastor-husband, David, have four children (three on earth, one in heaven) and serve the Lord together in Ottawa, ON, Canada.