I read a fable about a dog who loved to chase other animals. He bragged about his great running skill and said he could catch anything. Well, it wasn’t long until his boastful claims were put to the test by a rabbit. With ease the little creature outran his barking pursuer. The other animals, watching with glee, began to laugh. The dog excused himself, however, by saying, “You forget, folks, that I was only running for fun. He was running for his life!”

Motivation makes a difference in almost everything we do. In fact, it determines the way believers serve the Lord. Some people serve Him halfheartedly because they feel obligated. But there are others who serve with urgency and zeal because they recognize the terrible plight of people lost in sin. They are deeply grateful for God’s saving grace in their lives, so they go all out for the Lord.

That’s the kind of zealous motivation the apostle Paul had. He wrote, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11). He then concluded, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (v.20). Paul meant business. There was much at stake.

May we too be zealous in serving the Lord!