Comfortable Silence

It was the event of the season! I eagerly awaited my invite…but it never came. Before this event was even a possibility, I had poured into this person. God laid it on my heart to encourage, pray, and uplift—and I did just that for well over a year. When a friend of mine was chattering excitedly about the event, I was happy for her, but my own ego was bruised. What was wrong with me? Why was I not invited? I risked a quick sniff of my armpits—maybe I smelled?

Later that day, I began to analyze all my interactions and conversations with this person, coming up with zero reasons why I would not merit an invitation. Since others who had known this person for half the amount of time I had were getting an invite, something had to be wrong with me. That was when I felt like God spoke to my heart: “What is your motivation for love?†The realization cut deep—somewhere along the line, my original motivations of encouragement had morphed into entitlement.

Perhaps it’s time we all took a hard look at what motivates us to show love to others. Are we pouring into others to gain special privileges? Are we showing kindness simply to receive kindness? Are we giving so we will look good in the eyes of those around us? Are we serving so we can cash in when a need arises?

The only one with ultimately pure motivations is God. We did nothing to deserve the sacrifice of His Son, yet He loved us without expecting anything in return (1 John 4:9-10). The way Jesus loves us is selfless, and this is the way of love He calls us to emulate (verse 11). Our motivation for love should be because “he first loved us†(verse 19).

In our relationships with those around us, may we have the same mindset of Christ: humbly putting others first without seeking anything in return (Philippians 2:2-5). May we daily choose to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness, with love as the binding agent (Colossians 3:12-14). • Savannah Coleman

• Can you think of a time you showed kindness to someone for the wrong reasons? God knows we are sinful and selfish—yet He loves us. That’s why Jesus came to save us, humbly laying down His own life so that we could live. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are totally forgiven, and the Holy Spirit transforms us to be more and more like Jesus. When we rely on His strength to help us in our weaknesses, He transforms our motivations and helps us be sincere in our love.

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Ps.62|Zeph.3.17