The Donut Principle: Finding the Right Kind of Motivation
A practical Christian study of “The Donut Principle: Finding the Right Kind of Motivation,” with clear application for faith, relationships, and everyday life.
The Donut Principle
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The principle
If I have things set properly in place all around my life, I'm going to the right church, I am doing all of the right things and checking all of the right boxes, but in the center of me, in my heart, at the source of all of those things, if there is no love, if I am not motivated by mercy, compassion, and kindness, then all of that construct around me that seems so great will not amount to anything. It looks good around the edges, you can get some nice bites, but as you move towards the middle, eventually there is nothing.
Where there could be a source from which the entirety of this delicious donut has formed, instead, you run out of donut.
The deeper lesson
If you cared about me and God and these disciples, you wouldn't be accusing us in this way. And of course, both of Jesus' recommendations tied back to Hosea, where God was talking to Israel and saying, Look, you are still offering your sacrifices, but there is a hole in the middle of you where a heart ought to be.
I desire loyalty, love, genuine passion, and not just all of this stuff that you're doing because it's, you know, the right thing to do to stay blessed by God.
What it changes
And if you have ever seen people in the church who go door knocking or travel to other countries or who are constantly going out of their way at church to meet new visitors, and you're thinking, I wish I could be more like that. You start having the conversations, you knock on a few doors, and you find that after a couple of weeks, it just kind of fades away.
Because you have not first filled in the center with a better understanding of the mission of Christ and a shared passion and his love for others.
Live it today
Just take that out of the equation and go out and do what's right, and everything will be fine. Because in the end, God's not just reading a deeds sheet, he's reading the hearts of his people.
And preparing that heart to be examined by God is worth whatever time and attention that it takes.
Take the idea with you.
- 01Where do I see the problem or opportunity described in “The Donut Principle: Finding the Right Kind of Motivation” in my own life?
- 02What Scripture or spiritual principle in this study most needs my attention?
- 03What one specific change can I make this week to put this teaching into practice?
Prefer listening?
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