I’ve been thinking about the concept in the Writings of following truth because of the fact that it’s true and doing good because it is good.  Another way to put it is following truth for its own sake or doing good for its own sake.  As I go about my days, I regularly notice that my motives are a mixed bag.  As often as not, when I contemplate doing something good or following something true, my motives turn out to involve making myself look good or making somebody like me.

I know that noticing my self-centered motivations, disheartening as it can be, is actually a first step towards something better; at least I am noticing my motives (even if after the fact) instead of being completely unaware or even ignoring my motives.  And I am grateful that the Lord makes use of such less-than-perfect motivations as He leads us towards something better. 

I have recently realized that there’s an inspiring side to that concept from the Writings about following truth for its own sake and doing good for its own sake.  How amazing to aim for a place where I will follow truth or do good, not for selfish reasons, but because the Lord has made me aware of goodness and truth in their true colors – they are the most beautiful, innocent, touching and strong forces in the universe (because they come from Him).  The real characteristics of actual good and actual truth are inherently inspiring.  Goodness and truth are worth choosing for their own quality.  I know that’s super obvious in a sense, but I guess I’m seeing it from a different perspective. 

The “for its own sake” idea makes me think of something I read about in Viktor Frankl’s fascinating little book Man’s Search for Meaning.  He was a Jewish psychiatrist who was put in concentration camps by the Nazis and watched what was happening from a psychiatrist’s perspective.  Of many gems I learned from his story and reflections, the one that stands out for me as relevant to the “for its own sake” idea is his comment that the best of us didn’t survive the camps.  As I recall, those people were the ones who, even when it came down to personal survival, shared their last scrap of food or took the place of someone else in line for the gas chamber.  If you imagine that scenario unfolding, it makes a lump in your throat.  I was thinking about that story and how it illustrates an ultimate example of doing something good because it is a good thing to do and certainly not for any self-centered reward. The magnificence of such an act, and the obvious way that the Lord’s love is flowing through a person when they make such a choice, is so inspiring. It touches the heart with its beauty and strength. It inspires me to strive towards opening myself to making more such choices in my daily life.  

“…[S]ince everything good and true comes from above, it follows that so does everything of life.  This being the belief of the angels, they refuse all thanks for the good that they do and are indignant and withdraw if anyone attributes good to them.  They are astonished that anyone believes that he is wise from himself or does good from himself.  Doing good for one’s own sake they do not call good because it is from self; but doing good for the sake of good, they call good from the Divine, and they say it is this good that makes heaven because this Good is the Lord.” (Heaven and Hell 9)