The same goes for those who
want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free
with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it. I Timothy 3:8 (TM)

As an actor, you learn that the key to presenting a believable character on stage is to have a thorough understanding of that character’s motivations. It’s not just the words from the script and the blocking of the scene – it’s understanding what the character wants and needs. It’s the motivations that drive the words and actions. The better you understand what drives the character, the more real the presentation.

The same is true in real life and my training as an actor constantly challenges me to think about my own motivations. "What’s my motivation here? Am I doing this out of my love of God or out of my own desire for recognition?" It’s common to question our actions ("don’t gossip"), but by getting to the heart of the matter, God can deal with the root issues that generate our words and actions ("Why do I gossip? I think talking about others makes me feel superior and "in the know". God, help me mind my business and find my esteem in You alone").

When I am mindful of my own motivations and focus on my heart, my words and actions follow.