John Ortberg, a prominent figure in spiritual growth and leadership, delves into the transformative power of rewarding experiences in faith. He emphasizes how genuine relationships, particularly with God, bring true fulfillment over material success. The discussion encourages embracing joy and appreciation in spiritual practices, moving away from guilt. Ortberg highlights that true riches lie in character development and spiritual connections, offering insights on how to cultivate a deeper relationship with the divine.
God's intention for humanity is to create rewarding experiences that nourish both spirit and relationships, as illustrated by the biblical Eden.
Intrinsic rewards, rooted in love and personal growth, are emphasized as more fulfilling than extrinsic rewards seeking external validation.
Deep dives
The Nature of Rewards in Life
Rewards play a crucial role in human experience and motivation. The discussion highlights that God's intention is to create rewarding experiences, as reflected in the biblical depiction of Eden, characterized as a place of abundance and delight. Throughout Genesis, the narrative reveals that God provides not only beautiful sights and tasty food but also meaningful work and connections, emphasizing a life filled with rewarding moments. The concept of reward is intricately linked to habit formation, illustrating that positive outcomes reinforce behaviors and habits, which is a fundamental aspect of human development.
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Rewards
The distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards is explored to illuminate the different motivations behind actions. Intrinsic rewards, such as the joy of learning for its own sake or the genuine love within relationships, are considered more sustainable and fulfilling than extrinsic rewards, which often rely on external validation or material gain. Noteworthy insights from C.S. Lewis underscore that the ultimate rewards offered by God are rooted in love, joy, and personal growth, rather than superficial benefits. This perspective encourages individuals to seek deeper, more meaningful experiences as they pursue a relationship with the divine.
Experiencing God as a Rewarding Presence
The key to experiencing a fulfilling life lies in recognizing God as a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him. Believing in God's existence and His desire to reward leads to a rewarding relationship marked by joy, goodness, and beauty. Practical suggestions for enhancing this experience include incorporating personal pleasures, such as enjoying music or nature, into moments of spiritual connection. The discourse emphasizes that while days may not always be perfect, they can still be profoundly rewarding when approached with the right mindset and intention to engage with God's presence.
This devo originally aired in our series In the Beginning on June 15, 2023. To view the entire series, check out our library.
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📧 Subscribe for daily emails with these videos and accompanying thoughts: https://bit.ly/46AZ0rN 🙏🏻 Need prayer? Text us at 855-888-0444, we would love to pray for you! 🙌🏻 Interested in content for leaders? Subscribe to Become New for Leaders: https://bit.ly/3PH4FWn
Be sure to join our Facebook Group (link below) to continue the conversation and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel BecomeNew.Me and say hello 👋 in the comments. And make sure you tap the bell icon 🔔 to be notified when the next episode releases.
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