ul·te·ri·or
[uhl-teer-ee-er] Show IPA
adjective
1.
being beyond what is seen or avowed; intentionally kept concealed: ulterior motives.
2.
coming at a subsequent time or stage; future; further: ulterior action.
3.
lying beyond or outside of some specified or understood boundary; more remote: a suggestion ulteriorto the purposes of the present discussion.
I have many drafts that don't quite ever make it to the public eye, I first drafted the idea for this post in the fall of 2011. I've seen some some things on facebook that reminded me of it, like I've mentioned before, I have a bit of a environmental memory. Now fresh in my mind, I'll give you a post that's been in the works for the past year and a half.
I found myself at this time disgusted and annoyed at some particular people because [in my opinion] they were obviously acting under false pretenses. Self-righteously, I opened up my browser to the blogger homepage fully intending to condemn ulterior motives. As I drew my initial breath and began to type an introduction...conviction reigned in my heart.
Why do I keep a blog?
You can read in the "about the blog" section all the pure hearted intentions. I tell of how each word I type is for you, my reader.
First and foremost these are the reasons I write.
But there is an underlying reason, and that is what itched at me.
In my heart of hearts, I want to be known.
I closed the browser, ignored the idea, ignored the conviction, and shamed myself. How dare I write with a heart like that?! Am I a liar pretending to care?
I haven't thought about it since.
I knew that it wasn't of God to feel condemnation, but I couldn't reconcile this fact with the shame I was giving to myself.
I did know that I write for the benefit of my readers. But, how could I also act so selfishly?
Recently, I've seen pictures on facebook like the following and more:
All these post challenges to anyone reading:
"Do you know me?"
"What do you think of me?"
"Ask me anything!"
Because, inside...we all want to be known. We were created in the image of a trinitarian God. Who, in His very essence, is Father, Son, and Spirit. They have constant communion, fellowship, and vulnerability with each other.
We as human beings yearn for the same.
We deeply desire for someone to know us.
That's okay. It's how we were made. We all have the ulterior motive.
If you truly are acting under false pretenses, stop. Be truthful. If you get someone to "know" you because you're lying...they don't really know you.
Don't let this root longing become your driving force, let your focus be God and others. Your desires will be taken care of.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 22:37-40
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
