forced

      An investment counselor was doing well in her business and realized that she needed an in-house counsel, so she began interviewing young lawyers.

     "As I'm sure you can understand," she started off with one of the first applicants, "in a business like this, our personal integrity must be beyond question."  She leaned forward.  "Mr. Peterson, are you an *honest* lawyer?"

     "Honest?" replied the job prospect.  "Let me tell you something about honesty.  Why, I'm so honest that my father lent me fifteen thousand dollars for my education and I paid back every penny the minute I tried my very first case."

     "Impressive..... And what sort of case was that?"

     The lawyer squirmed in his seat and admitted, "He sued me for the money."

     Sometimes we do the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do.  But sometimes we do the right thing because we have no choice.  Our motivation may not always be clear to those around us, but it will eventually become evident.

     For example, I see it often with college students and young soldiers.  For years, they attended church with Mom and Dad.  But as soon as they get out on their own, making their own decisions, it becomes evident whether they attended all those years because they thought it was the right thing to do or merely because they were forced to go.

     What is your motivation?  Do you serve God because you feel that you have to, or because you believe it's the right thing to do?  May we all seek to have the attitude of David:

     "I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure....I love Your law.....My soul keeps your testimonies and I love them exceedingly.....Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts.  I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight."  (Psa. 119:162,163b,167,173-174)