Acting On Love

There are lots of reasons people do things.

To gain attention.

To please others.

Moral obligation to do the right thing.

Love.

Fear.

Anger.

Feelings of obligation. 

To please themselves.

To find joy.

To make money.

To gain status.

I'm sure you could add to the list. 

The thing is, most of those reasons we do things ebb and flow. 

We get the attention and status we wanted.

We give up on gaining attention and status.

We tire of trying to please others. 

We get fed up.

Fear and anger fade.

We tire of obligation.

We make money.

We decide money doesn't matter.

Peer pressure steers us. 

The things of the world - the things of our human nature - mold us and push us and shape us change us and force our path.

Unless.

Unless we are choosing to allow ourselves to be shaped by love instead. 

Love keeps us going when we're tired. Love keeps us doing the right thing when the wrong thing would be easier. Love keeps us headed the right direction even when it's unpopular. Love begets patience and beats fear and anger every time. 

Love is the only motivation that doesn't fail us. Love outlasts everything else. 

I think that's why Jesus tells us in John14:15  "If you love Me, keep my commandments." 

Maybe we were raised in the church and our parents expect us there.Maybe our social group are God pleasing people. Maybe we're smart enough to be in awe of God's power. Maybe we are simply trying to find the right thing to do. 

None of those things are bad ...in fact, they are all good. But if we don't also love God, none of those other things will last. 

Active love keeps us being kind to others even when they are hard to be kind to. Active love keeps us getting up and pushing forward when it's be easier not to. Active love keeps us striving to please God even when it's hard.

Love conquerors all ... So let love be your reason behind all of your actions. 

💞