By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

Why do you write or speak? I’ve chatted with many of you and believe you walked out of the womb, pen or microphone in hand. No matter when we started most of us will exclaim, “God called me!”

As a speaker, I desired to be used by God. I studied hard and memorized my notes, especially the Scriptures. After each event I felt hollow. I attributed the feeling to the evil one’s attack. At the start of one event I was at a loss for words. I stood there knowing in my head what I needed to say but the words never formed in my mouth. Yes, I was a bit nervous, but this was a new experience. I finally recited my teaching and sat. I asked the Lord what happened.

Motive! I heard the word echo in my head.

You know I want to glorify you Lord! I prayed.

Check your motive. I heard again.

When I arrived home I searched the Scriptures. I was convicted by this verse.

“And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the LORD examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently.”  1 Chronicles 28:9 (NET)

Motive matters to God.

“All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives.” Proverbs 16:2 (NASB)

I asked the Lord to assess my motives. What he impressed on my heart drove me to my knees.

“Lord forgive me. I thought my motives were pure. but they were selfish. I repent for wanting the glory and teaching in my strength. Help me desire to serve you with a wholehearted devotion and a willing mind. Convict me when my motive is self-seeking. Humble me, Lord. In Jesus name. AMEN!

When I began to write, I desired to be a bestselling author. I asked God to keep my motives pure and focused. As I continue to write, he impresses on my heart to be obedient and he will exalt the writing when and where he desires.
What I’ve learned is it’s not prideful to desire our work to reach bestseller status. As long as our motive is to glorify Him as He uses us to get his message out.

These are the Bible verses I focus on before I write or speak.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (ESV)

“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV)

I pray these verses help you like they’ve helped me.

Do you struggle with motive? Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn is an award-winning writer, speaker, and coach. She loves encouraging her brothers and sister to stand firm and shine for Jesus. She is an expert in Book Proposals and memoirs. You can find her with her son, Michael at Guitar center or at the beach sea glass hunting.

Cherrilynn is a chaplain and ordained minister. She is an award-winning writer, speaker, and coach. She loves encouraging her brothers and sister to stand firm and shine for Jesus. She is an expert in Book Proposals and memoirs. She teaches writing at Christian Leaders Institute. Her book Shine Don’t Whine is helping many women overcome, fear, anxiety, perfectionism, and worry. She considers it an honor to be published twice in Chicken Soup for the Soul-; Award-winning books, Kiss Guilt GoodBye,  Heart Reno, Breaking the Chains, Love Knots 3, and Get to the Margins Author’s Anthology.

Her book Shine Don’t Whine- won the Writer to Writer publishing contract was published in 2020. You can find her with her son, Michael at Guitar center or at the beach sea glass hunting. Her newest release, Experience Immanuel Daily, ignites a desire for readers to draw close to God.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the military for twenty years, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her seventeen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 25 years, Michael, Sr.  She loves Christ, chocolate, coffee, and cats.