DUAL FORCES OF LIFE: INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION

Many people will tell you to "just act" when God may want you to "just wait". But you can't know what He is saying unless you're listening to Him. You won't hear Him if the constant buzz of society is louder than the gentle nudge of the Spirit. Motivation is momentum. It gets you going on and on to achieve all you set out to achieve, irrespective of what it is. Yes, you can do anything you want to do and be anything you want to be. But should you, just because you can? Just anything?

The word "motivate" means to prompt, drive, move, stimulate, activate, propel or persuade someone or something. It is sometimes used interchangeably with the word "inspire". However, the word inspire comes from the root words "in spirit". It implies something deeper. It means to arouse, awaken, enliven, ignite, induce, invigorate, trigger, kindle, cause, impart, instill, produce, birth, create, generate or motivate from within. It includes the actual creative process of generating or producing something new, invigorating or 'alive'. It refers exclusively to something animate, alive, heartfelt or induced by an internal influence such as deep-seating stimulus or stirring at the spiritual or emotional level. So while motivation can be limited to an external influence or stimuli, inspiration extends to an inner source, impetus or connection. The word "inspirit" means to infuse with spirit; to impart or instill life, vigor or courage; to liven, enliven, invigorate, embolden or encourage.

Inspiration seats at the core of vision, mission and leadership. Motivation may exist on the self and resource management, goal setting and goal achievement level. Inspiration is like the heart and soul, while motivation is like the hands and feet. Inspiration is like the engine, while motivation is like the wheels. Both forms of energy are very important. True motivation is kinetic while inspiration can be latent. Motivation is act-inducing. Inspiration is awe-inspiring. Motivation is action. Inspiration is authenticity. Motivation gives a reaction. Inspiration gives a radiance. Motivation gets the job done. Inspiration tells you which job you should do. Motivation is acceleration. Inspiration is direction. It's important to know in what direction you should go, otherwise you can travel faster and more efficiently but in the wrong direction. You can get to either success or disaster faster with greater motivation. We usually need people and things to motivate us to take actual steps or strides towards the realization of our goals or mission. However, self motivation is said to be the best form of motivation and may include staying connected to proven sources of inspiration. We need to stay inspired by achieving or maintaining a heart connection with a penetrative source, whatever that is. When the heart is involved, there's a certain animation it brings to whatever our mission is about. Inspiration is deep, strong and sustained because it is of the heart and soul, but is usually subtle or subliminal. It may be induced by God (Holy Spirit inspired ideas), the devil (demonically inspired ideas) or an intense passion for a great or noble cause or ideal.

Usually God leads us by speaking to or impressing upon our hearts, because He is a Spirit and connects on that inspirational and spiritual level. But it is those who have spiritual ears (not just physical ears), those who have simply developed extrasensory perception in their hearts, that hear what the Spirit is saying. And the Lord is that Spirit. There is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Most High gives them understanding. The Spirit residing in and influencing the spirit man within. Stay in spirit to stay inspired.