As I began my second week in this journey of Spirit-led living, I was somewhat apprehensive about the "joy" week. I have always been perceived as a happy person, but there has been a deep-down struggle in me for many years to maintain the joy that I knew God desired for me to have. I have battled depression several times, and have not been very vocal about that battle until now. I feel in order to truly let the Spirit lead me and bear this joy in my life, I have to be honest about my past struggles in this area.
I really do love life. I have been blessed to experience so many wonderful things, yet still find appreciation for the simple things in life. I would not consider myself to be a moody or negative person. But for whatever reason, I have struggled with depression. It seems there is always this nagging voice inside of me trying to draw me down into myself and away from others. I am thankful that I have never battled severe depression or seriously contemplated suicide. But I have struggled with feelings of insignificance, insecurity, worthlessness and failure.
Through these times, I am always reminded of the verse I learned as a child, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) I have recited this verse to myself, and even offered it as a source of encouragement to others, but as I started this week focused on joy, I decided to really research "joy" and why this is such an important characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit as to be described as a source of strength. Here is what I found:
Joy- Intense and exultant happiness; the expression or manifestation of such a feeling; something causing such a feeling
Middle English joie, from Old French, from Latin gaudia, pl. of gaudium, joy, from gaudre, to rejoice
Looking back at the verse, I see that it is not simply joy itself that gives us strength, for joy in and of itself can be a contrived feeling of happiness, not something that can only be birthed by the Holy Spirit. But the joy that the Word speaks of as a source of strength is the "joy of the Lord". The Lord alone is the source of our joy, and consequently, our strength.
As I looked further at the root of the word joy, and realized that it comes from a verb that requires action, I believe that the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me the truth about His joy and the strength we find in it. Joy is not simply a feeling of happiness. It is not a plastic smile pasted on the face of a Christian going through a difficult time. It is not even the absence of tears or grief during a loss. Joy is the supernatural ability to rejoice during those times; to find strength in the Lord and a voice to worship, no matter what the circumstance.
There have been times that I have made excuses for my depression. I rationalized that my feelings were a result of bad circumstances or the reality of the difficulty of life. I convinced myself that the Lord would return strength to me when He returned my joy and turned my situation around. But I have failed to see that although my situation may change, the source of my joy never does. And because of Jesus Christ, I can choose to rejoice. I can turn my eyes toward heaven and find unspeakable joy in the hope that I have in Jesus.
Joy is not just a feeling. It is not something that is given or taken away. It my internal response to a source. If I choose to make my source my circumstances, then I will continue to struggle with maintaining joy in my life. But if my source is Jesus Christ, the unchanging hope of glory, then joy is only a whisper away. When I rejoice and choose to worship my God, joy is inevitable in my life.
"But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!" Psalm 40:16
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Week 1 Recap
So yesterday marked the end of my first week of this Spirit-Led Life Challenge. What a week it was! As I sought after more of the Holy Spirit and His love, He truly opened my eyes to the reality of what love is. It is a humbling thing, realizing that I still have so much to learn about the Holy Spirit and His ways. But I am so grateful that when we pray for revelation, He gives it!
I would say out of all the things I learned this week about love, there are a few that really stick out to me.
1. Love should be the motive for all that we do and say.
2. Love is PATIENT.
3. Love is being vulnerable.
4. Love seeks to bless others.
Spirit-led love is so incredibly different from the love that the world shows. We are incapable of duplicating this love in and of ourselves. Therefore, it is one of the most noticeable characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit. I have found that my love has not been measuring up to the love that the Holy Spirit wishes to grow in me. So I am choosing to continue submitting myself to the great Gardener and letting Him weed, water and prune my heart so I can bear His unfailing love.
I would say out of all the things I learned this week about love, there are a few that really stick out to me.
1. Love should be the motive for all that we do and say.
2. Love is PATIENT.
3. Love is being vulnerable.
4. Love seeks to bless others.
Spirit-led love is so incredibly different from the love that the world shows. We are incapable of duplicating this love in and of ourselves. Therefore, it is one of the most noticeable characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit. I have found that my love has not been measuring up to the love that the Holy Spirit wishes to grow in me. So I am choosing to continue submitting myself to the great Gardener and letting Him weed, water and prune my heart so I can bear His unfailing love.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Day 5- Love Seeks to Bless
Today as I was enjoying my day off with my kids and husband. We got an unusual treat for South Georgia- SNOW! It was so beautiful as it came drifting down in huge flakes and covered the ground. There was just enough for us to take the girls outside and let them play in it. We laughed and played and made a mini snowman that Zoey named "Andy". It was a fun day.
And then, after we had come inside and thawed out, I noticed the mail laying on the counter. There was some junk mail, and then a letter from Holt International- an adoption agency that we support financially on a monthly basis. I opened the letter and saw that it was a plea for financial support of their orphanage in Haiti that has been affected by the earthquake.
My initial response was to throw it away. We already support them monthly...why send in an extra gift? Many times it's a stretch for us to simply pay the bills we already have. But as I reached for the trash, the Holy Spirit checked me and reminded me that love seeks to be a blessing.
During this week of focusing on love, I have been praying for the Lord to open up doors for me to show that love to people. I have been attentive and aware, looking for an opportunity to be used by the Holy Spirit to show someone the love of Christ. So far, nothing out of the ordinary had come up. But here, a letter in my hands was giving me the chance to show love to a people very much in need. And I was about to throw it away.
You see, I believe we all want to be a blessing. We all want people to look at us and say "Wow, they are making such a difference." We want to make our mark on humanity. But many times, we want to show love on our terms. We want to bless the people that we choose. And sadly, we miss out on so many opportunities to really show the love of Christ and make a difference. Living a Spirit-led life means letting Him choose how, when, and who we bless.
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18
I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to give you more opportunities to show the love of Christ. And when He opens a door to do just that, don't dismiss it because of the effort or sacrifice it requires. True, Spirit-grown love will always require effort and sacrifice. It won't always bring recognition and appreciation. You may find yourself blessing people who will never even know your name. But God knows your name and sees your deeds. When you seek to be a blessing to others, you are blessing your Heavenly Father.
And I can't think of any better reason to sacrifice than to put a smile on my Father's face.
And then, after we had come inside and thawed out, I noticed the mail laying on the counter. There was some junk mail, and then a letter from Holt International- an adoption agency that we support financially on a monthly basis. I opened the letter and saw that it was a plea for financial support of their orphanage in Haiti that has been affected by the earthquake.
My initial response was to throw it away. We already support them monthly...why send in an extra gift? Many times it's a stretch for us to simply pay the bills we already have. But as I reached for the trash, the Holy Spirit checked me and reminded me that love seeks to be a blessing.
During this week of focusing on love, I have been praying for the Lord to open up doors for me to show that love to people. I have been attentive and aware, looking for an opportunity to be used by the Holy Spirit to show someone the love of Christ. So far, nothing out of the ordinary had come up. But here, a letter in my hands was giving me the chance to show love to a people very much in need. And I was about to throw it away.
You see, I believe we all want to be a blessing. We all want people to look at us and say "Wow, they are making such a difference." We want to make our mark on humanity. But many times, we want to show love on our terms. We want to bless the people that we choose. And sadly, we miss out on so many opportunities to really show the love of Christ and make a difference. Living a Spirit-led life means letting Him choose how, when, and who we bless.
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18
I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to give you more opportunities to show the love of Christ. And when He opens a door to do just that, don't dismiss it because of the effort or sacrifice it requires. True, Spirit-grown love will always require effort and sacrifice. It won't always bring recognition and appreciation. You may find yourself blessing people who will never even know your name. But God knows your name and sees your deeds. When you seek to be a blessing to others, you are blessing your Heavenly Father.
And I can't think of any better reason to sacrifice than to put a smile on my Father's face.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Day 4- Love Births Intercession
Tonight I had the privilege of praying with my daughter, Zoey, before bedtime. Usually her dad and I will pray, and then she will say her prayers. Lately, Zoey's prayers have evolved from a very simple, "Thank you for this day, please help school tomorrow," to a long list of praying for and thanking God for family and friends. Tonight she- on her own- prayed for each of our college interns by name...something I hadn't even done today. I am so blessed to see a heart of intercession being birthed in my 3 year old daughter, and I am challenged by her love!
As I continue on my journey being led by the Spirit and His love, I am starting to realize something about prayer. As Christians we understand the importance of prayer. It is the way that we communicate with God. Prayer allows us to "approach the throne of grace with boldness" even when we are terribly flawed human beings in the presence of a perfect God. There is power in prayer, because all power belongs to the One we pray to.
I'm afraid that many times, though, our prayer life is so devoid of love that we misuse this precious privilege we've been given. Jesus commands us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart..." and to "love your neighbor as yourself." These two commandments are absolutely inseparable. John says in 1 John 4:
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (vs. 7-8)
So our love for God becomes evident in our love for others. Want to know how much you really love God? Then ask yourself, "How much do I love others?" Do you love them so much that you pray for them? When someone has a need and you say "I'll pray for you," do you do it? Or is that just the "right answer"?
I am guilty of not praying for and not loving people the way that I should. And as I spent time repenting for this today, the Holy Spirit showed me that if I truly love, I will intercede. True love for others (and consequently, for God) births intercession. Prayer is not meant only for us to selfishly lay our needs, wants and desires before our God, but it is meant for us to selflessly intercede for the people we claim to love.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me about my commitment to pray for people today. If I am going to walk in the Spirit and live in His love, I have to be committed to intercession. Not just saying "I'll pray for you", but actually doing it. And praying the way that I would want someone to pray for me if I was lost, hurting, sick, or in need of prayer. If we have the love that the Spirit grows in our life, it will spill over into our prayer life. We will find that our prayers are less about our self and our wants, and more about others and their needs. More about salvation. More about healing. More about deliverance.
More about love.
As I continue on my journey being led by the Spirit and His love, I am starting to realize something about prayer. As Christians we understand the importance of prayer. It is the way that we communicate with God. Prayer allows us to "approach the throne of grace with boldness" even when we are terribly flawed human beings in the presence of a perfect God. There is power in prayer, because all power belongs to the One we pray to.
I'm afraid that many times, though, our prayer life is so devoid of love that we misuse this precious privilege we've been given. Jesus commands us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart..." and to "love your neighbor as yourself." These two commandments are absolutely inseparable. John says in 1 John 4:
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (vs. 7-8)
So our love for God becomes evident in our love for others. Want to know how much you really love God? Then ask yourself, "How much do I love others?" Do you love them so much that you pray for them? When someone has a need and you say "I'll pray for you," do you do it? Or is that just the "right answer"?
I am guilty of not praying for and not loving people the way that I should. And as I spent time repenting for this today, the Holy Spirit showed me that if I truly love, I will intercede. True love for others (and consequently, for God) births intercession. Prayer is not meant only for us to selfishly lay our needs, wants and desires before our God, but it is meant for us to selflessly intercede for the people we claim to love.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me about my commitment to pray for people today. If I am going to walk in the Spirit and live in His love, I have to be committed to intercession. Not just saying "I'll pray for you", but actually doing it. And praying the way that I would want someone to pray for me if I was lost, hurting, sick, or in need of prayer. If we have the love that the Spirit grows in our life, it will spill over into our prayer life. We will find that our prayers are less about our self and our wants, and more about others and their needs. More about salvation. More about healing. More about deliverance.
More about love.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Day 3- Love: A Package Deal
Today was the third day of my Spirit-led Life Challenge, and the third day that I have been fervently seeking that the Spirit would pour His supernatural love into my life. I must say, it has been an awesome experience so far. He truly has surrounded me with His perfect love, and it is affecting the way I think, act, speak and live.
As I look at Galatians 5 where it lists the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, and as I seek after more of God's love in my life, I am finding that all the other characteristics are so heavily hinged on this very first step- the choice to love. I know each one holds its own special benefit as we walk in the Spirit, but I am seeing in my own daily life that as I seek after more of His love, the joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control come right along with it! It really is a package deal.
It was brought to my attention a few months ago as I read Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" that we often mistake the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit as being different "fruits" that are separate from one another. However, in Galatians, it is listed as the singular "fruit" of the Spirit, with many attributes. I think it is important to realize that you can't truly have the supernatural love that the Spirit-led life brings without also having the peace, patience, kindness, etc. I have always been taught each characteristic as a separate, distinct "fruit", implying that you may have one fruit and not another. But when we look at the Word of God, it is clear that all these parts of the fruit of the Spirit are so intertwined with one another, it is impossible to separate them!
This is such an encouraging thought to me as I continue on this journey of letting the Spirit have complete control of my steps. I realize that I do not have to work so hard to achieve more joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. But if I focus my attention on walking in the Spirit and living in God's love, all these things will come to fruition in my life accordingly.
It is not about what we can do. All that we can do is the same that the world can do, and this does nothing to testify of Christ in us. But when we stop trying to "bear fruit" and simply let the Gardener do His pruning and weeding in our lives (painful as it may be), the fruit will grow. The plant itself simply soaks in the sun, water and nutrients. And that's what we are called to do. Soak in the Spirit. Be nourished by the Word. Dwell in the light of the Son. And as we do, the fruit will grow- beautiful, fragrant and able to feed the hungry souls around us.
I encourage you today- don't be overwhelmed with the task of trying to bear more or greater fruit. Focus on walking in Him and His love. And when you do, the rest will follow!
As I look at Galatians 5 where it lists the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, and as I seek after more of God's love in my life, I am finding that all the other characteristics are so heavily hinged on this very first step- the choice to love. I know each one holds its own special benefit as we walk in the Spirit, but I am seeing in my own daily life that as I seek after more of His love, the joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control come right along with it! It really is a package deal.
It was brought to my attention a few months ago as I read Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" that we often mistake the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit as being different "fruits" that are separate from one another. However, in Galatians, it is listed as the singular "fruit" of the Spirit, with many attributes. I think it is important to realize that you can't truly have the supernatural love that the Spirit-led life brings without also having the peace, patience, kindness, etc. I have always been taught each characteristic as a separate, distinct "fruit", implying that you may have one fruit and not another. But when we look at the Word of God, it is clear that all these parts of the fruit of the Spirit are so intertwined with one another, it is impossible to separate them!
This is such an encouraging thought to me as I continue on this journey of letting the Spirit have complete control of my steps. I realize that I do not have to work so hard to achieve more joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. But if I focus my attention on walking in the Spirit and living in God's love, all these things will come to fruition in my life accordingly.
It is not about what we can do. All that we can do is the same that the world can do, and this does nothing to testify of Christ in us. But when we stop trying to "bear fruit" and simply let the Gardener do His pruning and weeding in our lives (painful as it may be), the fruit will grow. The plant itself simply soaks in the sun, water and nutrients. And that's what we are called to do. Soak in the Spirit. Be nourished by the Word. Dwell in the light of the Son. And as we do, the fruit will grow- beautiful, fragrant and able to feed the hungry souls around us.
I encourage you today- don't be overwhelmed with the task of trying to bear more or greater fruit. Focus on walking in Him and His love. And when you do, the rest will follow!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Day 2- Selfless Love
Over the past two days I have shared some very heartfelt and honest conversations with friends that are all facing challenges in their lives. And despite the obvious adversity they face, I see such hope as I realize that love- God's love- truly is the answer.
Life is difficult- that's a given. Even Jesus promised us that we "will have troubles". Just because we make the choice daily to be led by the Holy Spirit does not make us exempt from trials and tribulations. On the contrary- a Spirit-led life is of great concern to the enemy of our souls and is a cause for chaos in the spiritual realm. When we truly live and walk in the Spirit, we will constantly "make waves".
This is when things get tricky. It is somewhat easy to walk in love when those around you love you in return. It doesn't take much to love when you feel love. But what about when you don't feel it anymore? What happens when trust is broken, hateful things are said and you're left standing in the wake of bitterness, anger and regret? What then?
I am convinced that it is in those moments when true love is defined. Because true love, the love that is born of the Holy Spirit, is selfless. It is not about us. It chooses to look past our hurt and our feelings and see another soul that is precious in the eyes of God. True love makes the choice to be vulnerable. It sets its guard down and takes a chance on being hurt, just for the opportunity to reach someone.
The love that comes as a result of the Spirit-led life will not make sense to the world. It is the love that blossoms in the midst of hatred and revenge. It shines brightly in the darkness of death and divorce. It looks its enemy in the eye and says "I forgive." The Holy Spirit has shown me over the past two days that sometimes the greater victory is not overcoming your situation, seeing wrongs righted, or even an answer to prayer. Sometimes the greatest victory is the unexplainable selfless love that can be shown by the Spirit-led believer.
I am reminded of the story of Corrie ten Boom who selflessly forgave and loved the same Nazi soldiers who tortured her and her family in concentration camps in World War II. Many of her loved ones lost their lives because of the inhumanity and hatred of the Nazis. But Corrie understood that Jesus came and died so that she could have freedom from bitterness, anger and revenge. And she understood that the very people that she should have hated needed the love of Christ just as much as she did. What an incredible testimony of selfless love!
Love, as the Bible describes it in 1 Corinthians 13, is not easy. Actually, it is impossible...for a flawed human being like me. But I thank God that as I strive to be led by the Spirit daily and crucify my flesh, that it is NOT I, but Christ who lives within me! Only through Christ and the power of His Spirit can we show selfless love to those who have hurt us the most.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8
Life is difficult- that's a given. Even Jesus promised us that we "will have troubles". Just because we make the choice daily to be led by the Holy Spirit does not make us exempt from trials and tribulations. On the contrary- a Spirit-led life is of great concern to the enemy of our souls and is a cause for chaos in the spiritual realm. When we truly live and walk in the Spirit, we will constantly "make waves".
This is when things get tricky. It is somewhat easy to walk in love when those around you love you in return. It doesn't take much to love when you feel love. But what about when you don't feel it anymore? What happens when trust is broken, hateful things are said and you're left standing in the wake of bitterness, anger and regret? What then?
I am convinced that it is in those moments when true love is defined. Because true love, the love that is born of the Holy Spirit, is selfless. It is not about us. It chooses to look past our hurt and our feelings and see another soul that is precious in the eyes of God. True love makes the choice to be vulnerable. It sets its guard down and takes a chance on being hurt, just for the opportunity to reach someone.
The love that comes as a result of the Spirit-led life will not make sense to the world. It is the love that blossoms in the midst of hatred and revenge. It shines brightly in the darkness of death and divorce. It looks its enemy in the eye and says "I forgive." The Holy Spirit has shown me over the past two days that sometimes the greater victory is not overcoming your situation, seeing wrongs righted, or even an answer to prayer. Sometimes the greatest victory is the unexplainable selfless love that can be shown by the Spirit-led believer.
I am reminded of the story of Corrie ten Boom who selflessly forgave and loved the same Nazi soldiers who tortured her and her family in concentration camps in World War II. Many of her loved ones lost their lives because of the inhumanity and hatred of the Nazis. But Corrie understood that Jesus came and died so that she could have freedom from bitterness, anger and revenge. And she understood that the very people that she should have hated needed the love of Christ just as much as she did. What an incredible testimony of selfless love!
Love, as the Bible describes it in 1 Corinthians 13, is not easy. Actually, it is impossible...for a flawed human being like me. But I thank God that as I strive to be led by the Spirit daily and crucify my flesh, that it is NOT I, but Christ who lives within me! Only through Christ and the power of His Spirit can we show selfless love to those who have hurt us the most.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8
Monday, February 8, 2010
Day 1- Motivated By Love
So today was the first day of my challenge, and I started with the first characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit- love. I find it somewhat ironic that we are talking about love all this month in children's church, and this also happens to be the week of Valentine's day. So love is a central theme not only in my life this week, but everywhere!
As I prayed about how the Spirit would lead me to love today, I was reminded of the description of love given in 1 Corinthians 13. I memorized the majority of this chapter as a teen, and it has stuck with me to this day. But I don't often sit down and really meditate on what it says. As I began the chapter, I was immediately convicted.
See, lately, God has been dealing with me about doing more for Him. He has opened my eyes to see that as a Christian, I have a responsibility to be Jesus to the broken, hopeless, hurting, hungry, naked and lost. I have been compelled to give more. More money, time, effort, prayer...more of myself. How can I say I am a follower of Christ and neglect the very people He came to save? My heart has been burdened for those who are needy and helpless more than ever before.
But as I read the first few verses of 1 Cor. 13, I realized something.
"If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all the mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
Yes, I am called to give to the poor. But my motive should be love, not guilt. Yes, I am called to clothe the naked. But my motive should be love, not a sense of responsibility. Yes, I am called to use the gifts God has given me. But my motive should be love, not obligation.
So today, my prayer has been that love would become the motive behind all I do, and how I do it. That is not an easy task, especially when you encounter opposition. It is easy to love when people love you back and when things go your way. But when opposition arises, it is easy to slip from being motivated by love to being motivated by hurt, bitterness, revenge or anger. Love is a choice that has to be made over and over and over again.
"And he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:21
I am realizing that what the world needs is not just another philanthropist or do-gooder. The world needs love. God's love. Love that comes as a result of the Holy Spirit working in me. I can give, do, help and provide, but if it is not motivated by love, how is it any different from what the world offers? Celebrities and billionaires will be able to provide more food, clothing and shelter than what I could ever dream of. But I believe that the love of the Spirit through me can make a greater difference in the world than those material things. Yes, I want to provide for people's physical needs. But ultimately, I want them to experience the love of Christ that can transform their lives.
Today the Holy Spirit has led me to make love my motive. Love should be, and will become the reason I do what I do. How about you? What is motivating you? What drives your relationships with others? What powers your actions and words? Is it love? Or is it anger, fear, jealousy, bitterness, pride or revenge? Choose love. Why?
"Love never fails." 1 Cor. 13: 8
As I prayed about how the Spirit would lead me to love today, I was reminded of the description of love given in 1 Corinthians 13. I memorized the majority of this chapter as a teen, and it has stuck with me to this day. But I don't often sit down and really meditate on what it says. As I began the chapter, I was immediately convicted.
See, lately, God has been dealing with me about doing more for Him. He has opened my eyes to see that as a Christian, I have a responsibility to be Jesus to the broken, hopeless, hurting, hungry, naked and lost. I have been compelled to give more. More money, time, effort, prayer...more of myself. How can I say I am a follower of Christ and neglect the very people He came to save? My heart has been burdened for those who are needy and helpless more than ever before.
But as I read the first few verses of 1 Cor. 13, I realized something.
"If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all the mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
Yes, I am called to give to the poor. But my motive should be love, not guilt. Yes, I am called to clothe the naked. But my motive should be love, not a sense of responsibility. Yes, I am called to use the gifts God has given me. But my motive should be love, not obligation.
So today, my prayer has been that love would become the motive behind all I do, and how I do it. That is not an easy task, especially when you encounter opposition. It is easy to love when people love you back and when things go your way. But when opposition arises, it is easy to slip from being motivated by love to being motivated by hurt, bitterness, revenge or anger. Love is a choice that has to be made over and over and over again.
"And he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:21
I am realizing that what the world needs is not just another philanthropist or do-gooder. The world needs love. God's love. Love that comes as a result of the Holy Spirit working in me. I can give, do, help and provide, but if it is not motivated by love, how is it any different from what the world offers? Celebrities and billionaires will be able to provide more food, clothing and shelter than what I could ever dream of. But I believe that the love of the Spirit through me can make a greater difference in the world than those material things. Yes, I want to provide for people's physical needs. But ultimately, I want them to experience the love of Christ that can transform their lives.
Today the Holy Spirit has led me to make love my motive. Love should be, and will become the reason I do what I do. How about you? What is motivating you? What drives your relationships with others? What powers your actions and words? Is it love? Or is it anger, fear, jealousy, bitterness, pride or revenge? Choose love. Why?
"Love never fails." 1 Cor. 13: 8
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