Can You Change Your Core Values and Core Motivations?

This past week my life got busy with extra work, a weekend garage sale to prep for, a birthday party, and helping family members’ with their websites. Whenever this happens inevitably something gets dropped from my schedule because I’m not superwoman and I just can’t do it all. So I’ve only meditated once in the past three days.

Having a busy week once in a while is no big deal but it’s an issue for me when I lower the priority of things such as meditation. I justify skipping it more and more as seemingly more important things come up. When I examine my motivations I realize that these small choices reveal my true values.

I like to think I value God and my family above all else. My actions and my schedule indicate something different. This week I valued money and being frugal over spending time in meditation. This week I valued pleasing others and meeting other peoples’ expectations over spending time in meditation. This is a pattern in my life.

Jesus said “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Changing my core values and my core motivations (my heart) is going to have to be a work of the Holy Spirit. This again is something I cannot do or will on my own, despite my desire to love and trust Jesus fully.

So what can I do? Jesus also said “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)” I can continue to meditate and be more self-aware so that I’m not deceiving myself. It’s so easy in the short-term to get busy and think everything is just fine.

When I’m more mindful I see my selfishness and the need to turn from it. When I take time for quiet meditation I remember what I know of Jesus and I remember that He is worthy of my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. He is worth suffering for, disappointing others for, humiliating myself for, losing money for, etc, etc, etc. He is worth more than anything I can offer. Each day I can strive to give Him my whole life.