Doing The Right Things For The Wrong Reasons

Had a birthday the other day. I’m not old as dirt, but I did go to college when computers were the size of small cars instead of one that will fit into your pocket. So, that will tell you that I am not young. Okay, for the record I just turned 59 but sometimes feel 89. I’m sure that most of you can relate.

I may not be a deep philosophical thinker but I do spend quite a bit of time wondering about the meaning of life. I think the last couple of years have deepened my thought processes. Confronting cancer can have that affect on a person.

I said in a previous column, that I have now come to the realization that I can’t truly live a fulfilling life until I come to grips with my mortality. And I think for the most part, I have done that. It wasn’t easy and I do admit that there are times that I have to readjust my attitude. But, my faith has been deepened by my experience, and I can’t regret what I have been through the last 3 years.

Even before my cancer, I found myself getting upset with people who wasted my time. I figured that I didn’t have all that much time left in life, so I didn’t want people to waste that time with meaningless meetings and drama. I came to that realization while I was in Jefferson City so you can just imagine how much of that kind of stuff goes on in government.

Since my diagnosis, I came to another realization — that I didn’t care as much about what people thought about me as I did about what God thought about me. Again, that is something that takes constant diligence as we are human and most of us thrive on social interaction and peer approval.

Now to my third realization. I realize that for most of my life, I have tried to do the “right” things but too often for the “wrong” reasons. I know that may seem strange but it is true. Think about how many times you make decisions to please someone else. The decision may be the right thing to do but you may not be doing it for the right reason.

As a kid you do things to please your parents and teachers. Then, as an adult, you do things to make your boss or your spouse happy. And, you often make decisions or do things because of peer pressure. If you have the right friends then that is usually a good thing but not always.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do things to please others or to make them happy. That’s not the point. But, sometimes we have to step back and ask ourselves why we are doing what we are doing. Is it because we, and most importantly God, think it is what we should be doing at that particular point or is it because of our desire to be accepted? Or is it because someone has laid a “guilt trip” on us?

I had an assistant in Jefferson City who told me one time that I needed to get a “yesectomy.” She said that I said “yes” to every request when I should be learning to say “no” to some of them. She was right. I was agreeing to everything because I thought it was the right thing to do without really thinking about my motivation.

I will say, that I did not get a full “yesectomy” but I do say “no” more now than I used to. And that goes along with wanting to please God more than Man. A lot of people have great intentions and think that they can “earn” their way into heaven because they do good in this life.

Nothing is further from the truth. I am saved by grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and nothing else. Now, because I have a faith in Him I want to do good deeds and do the “right” things. But, that is because I am following his prompting and not doing things because of what other people think is right.

God gives us opportunities every day to serve Him and to make this world a better place. I have to admit that I don’t always recognize those opportunities and, even if I do, I don’t always take advantage of them. But, I’m trying to be more receptive and ask Him daily for guidance.

As they say, we only get one chance to live our lives so we need to make the most of it. That means doing good for others and making “right” decisions. But, we need to make sure that we are also doing them for the right reasons.