Obligation/bondage

"Someone has to do this...why didn't anyone plan for it?...I guess I'll do it, but I'll let everyone know I'm displeased... martyr...grumble, grumble!" "Why couldn't I say, NO?" OR, "I'll only do what I want to do regardless of the mission of my church or the need or what may be my gifts...my time is mine."

Freedom/Joy/Sense Of Calling

"I want to do this because God Who is so good...and has done so much for me and my church progressing in their mission is important to me"

Fear of others

(need to be loved), OR Love of self (need to be noticed) If I do this, people will think well of me...I'll be loved more...this will earn people's love." "if I refuse to do this, he/she/they might be angry with me." OR "If I do this I will be noticed and praised by others."

Love from God and love for God and people

"How can I do other than serve God/people to the full, given His amazing love to me in Jesus and the mission I'm privileged to be part of.'

Volunteerism

("I'm a volunteer so I can do the minimum") OR Self-interest ('"What can I get out of this for myself?)

Stewardship

(Strives for excellence and sees him/herself as a steward of all he is/has)

Others

(Letting others set my agenda) OR Self (I set my own agenda without consulting God or others)

God first

"He sets my agenda priorities as I use my head & commune with Him regularly."

No ambition

(lukewarmness and mediocrity falsely interpreted as humility and contentment) OR Bad / wrongheaded ambition

Proper ambition

(for God's will to be done through me and His mission to progress)

Poor self-image

(feels worthless at times, self image based too much on others' opinions) OR Seemingly positive self-image, but built on sand (and able to be maintained only as long as the person doesn't think too deeply or fail too often or get too honest with himself)

Positive self-image!

"I know who I am in Christ, where I'm headed and; know my life's counting as I serve Christ / others! I'm free, loved, I belong, I'm focused, secure and headed for heaven."

Shame & self-depreciation

(sometimes mistaken for humility) OR Pride ("I did it")

Proper humility

"God did it and He used me!"

Usually no waves

(but sometimes angry and aggressive due to little encouragement or praise, being taken for granted, not able to say NO, OR Whatever face needs to be shown (depending on the situation and who needs to be manipulated)

Assertive - not aggressive

Works hard, but able to politely turn down jobs not in area of giftedness, when overloaded, or which others need to take on

May love or dismiss or hate a particular person or group & apply God's standards to a situation

(based on what influential others say/think, since too weak in himself) OR Reaction based mainly on self-interest (what will manipulate others and give advancement to self)

Radically accepts & serves all graciously

(even society's marginalized because he knows he too is a sinner and has only been accepted by God because of Jesus' merits) Does not lower or dismiss God's standards.

Doesn't notice right away

(since self-image is so weak and has false understanding of humility as "taking it" and naive about other people's potential for evil...may end up in self-pity or anger) OR notices immediately (and plans how to even the score)

Notices, but tries to react with Christian perspective

(1) love covers sin (2) forgiveness always (3) is the injustice from one who loves me? (4) Is assertive response called for or would no response be better'? (5) wise as serpents, but...

Peace at all costs

(don't get involved) OR involvement or non- involvement (based on self-interest)

Tries to be at peace with all but will get involved

(and take sides if it's a matter of truth, justice and people being hurt)

Feels helpless

OR Big talk/no action (talks a lot about helping, but does little/nothing)

Tries to keep a balance

(between emotional level and action AND between righteous indignation/anger and the fact that God's kingdom IS progressing toward fulfillment)

May do nothing

(because of idea that "only God can bring the growth")...May look to see what others say needs doing or what they might accept or approve of (won't go against the flow or suggest something different)...Might pray more (but not coupled with taking risks in faith) OR Doesn't panic (redoubles effort in another area that shows more promise of concrete visual success and kudos for self)

Keeps trust in God and joy in the Lord

(because He knows God's powerful, in control, and always working ultimately for his and church's good even if that can't be understood. Knows that God works out even evil situations for good) Increases prayer...thinks about other actions to be taken....never gives up!

Believes forgiving someone means acting as if nothing happened

(and the relationship's exactly the same) OR Holds resentments(and plans how to get even)

Forgives always because God has forgiven him even more in Christ

(but like Jesus isn't naive..."knows what's in man"...and so the relationship may not be the same or may even be terminated

Little joy

(because work done/life lived too much for other's approval and in a spirit of bondage...also because self-image based too much on pleasing others and opinions of others...people are turned off to Christianity and there's little influence for people to even want to experience God OR Few when viewed in the eternal perspective (since work done/life lived too much for self and reward is received on this earth...no reward in heaven; efforts may look very spiritual to those around and seem to bear much fruit...Some people may be "turned on" to experiencing God and others off (especially those who are discerning and look below the surface at motive, heart, etc.)

Eternal lasting impact on many individuals

(though it may not be the more visible, spectacular impression some value) God is glorified

Well done good and faithful servant!