Glow with love

B. LOVE.

I come alive not with money and prestige. What really makes me come alive is serving others and spending myself for God’s work. Only in doing things out of love (not out of greed, recognition, advancement) do I truly feel complete and fulfilled.

I have a constant impulse to compare myself to others. I should earn more than this or that person because I am more talented. I should be more successful but I am not. Therefore, I am insecure.

Whenever I want to pursue counseling, I am nagged by the thought that it doesn’t pay much. I must try to get a career that pays better. That’s what a job should do: pay well. I must earn more than my sister, or my cousin, or my friend, or many other people because I am more talented or smart or intelligent than they are.

I say this to my shame because I probably think more highly or myself than what is true. I believe that this keeps me from truly living up to my potential.

In Paul’s discourse on love in 1 Corinthians 13, he says that even if we can speak in different languages, or prophecy and fathom mysteries, and move mountains with our faith, or even do great acts of charity and sacrifice, if we don’t love, we are nothing.

I believe he’s saying, even if we can do great, wonderful, history-making things, if love is not the motivation, we will feel empty and unfulfilled. Love is what perfects our imperfect talents and skills. If we do things out of love and with God’s power, we would have perfected our gifts.

1 John 4:17-19

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19We love because he first loved us.

The only confidence I must strive for is the confidence before the Lord on the Day of Judgment. I can only have that confidence if I live like God, which means live in LOVE. Perfect love drives out fear. If I can do things out of love, then I will not be afraid or insecure.

PRACTICALS:
1. Only do things out of love. I will even stop doing something if I am doing it out of any other motivation, like recognition or money.

2. At church, constantly pray about my motivation to serve out of love.

3. At home, do things not out of obligation or guilt but out of love for my family (husband and son).

4. In the business, do things out of love for my clients and my son because I desire to be with him and raise him up.