Motivations Speak Louder
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ”
We are commanded to love everyone around us – to share with others the same graceful, unconditional love that God shows us. Despite this, we often find ourselves in a state where we start to fake our love towards others. When presented with an unfavorable situation, or person, we face a decision between responding in love or hate, and sometimes we settle for a middle ground and choose to fake our love instead. We put up an empty facade of love in order to superficially fulfill the command given to us instead of showing the genuine love that we are called to express. Then, we justify our actions by telling ourselves that at least they have the illusion of love. Actions may speak louder than words, but motivations speak even louder.
In order to truly love one another, our love must come from a genuine place because actions without genuine motivations are ultimately empty. Jesus lived his entire life as a model of love. He showed genuine want and care for everyone around him. He never poured out empty love. Instead, he embraced everyone's faults and problems with his unconditional, unfailing and perfect love. Just like Jesus truly loved us, so we must truly love others.
In order for us to really make a difference in our community, we have to love like Jesus did. If we want to create breakthrough in today's culture, we have to come forward with a different culture than the one that is present. Living in a world currently obsessed with outer appearances and manners, presenting an alternative that provides a deep and real expression of who we really are and who we represent will break barriers within our city and community. Instead of encouraging a culture of superficial love, we must love others completely and genuinely. That is the only way to truly impact the lives of those around us and in our community.
William Rivero
Service Liaison