Is Love Reflected in Our Actions?

This past week has been a tougher week in our home as we are trying to figure out new routine.  Again.  Both my hubby and I are trying to work, and the boys are having a bit of a difficult time in realizing that we aren’t going to entertain them every moment of the day.  Probably the story of every work-at-home parent right now!   But this week as I told my youngest son for the third time that I needed to get some work done and they could go on a bug hunt without me, I thought he was going to cry.  Ugh.  So out of guilt, out the door we went to chase some butterflies. 

Action From Obligation

Have you ever done something just to get it done so you could get on to the thing you were trying to do in the first place? 

Me too. 

But this week as I read the verses of 1 Corinthians 13, I was convicted of the very things I do out of “obligation” and not out of love. 

I love to go on bug hunts with my boys!  It’s actually one of my favorite things.  But that day…I felt like I was drowning in my to-do list, so I went out of obligation and not love. 

In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul writes:

If I speak in the 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 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.  (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV)

Action from Love

When we operate our lives out of a place of “doing” rather than “loving”, we have it all backwards. 

Paul had just been teaching the people of Corinth about the body of Christ and how we are each a part of it.  He says God appoints some apostles, some prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, those with the gift of healing, the helpers, administrators and those speaking in tongues. (I Corinthians 12:27-28 NIV) 

But if we aren’t doing the very things we are called to out of love, then we

• Sound like a clanging cymbal
• Are nothing
• Gain nothing

I love the Message version that says, “So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.”  (verse 3)

If we are truly going to “Get Back to the Basics”, we better get back to reflecting love through our actions.  It doesn’t matter what we do, if we aren’t doing it with love, it means nothing. 

Realigning our priorities to live intentionally everyday takes time and balance.  But with God’s help we can do it.  I can enjoy bug hunts with my boys and work all in the same day!  I’m sure of it!  And you can do all the things you are called to do with love as well. 

What have you been “doing” out of obligation lately? 

I want to encourage you to spend some quiet time with the Father this week praying about what His priorities are and how to reflect His love through your actions.  I have attached a journal sheet here to help guide you! 

With love,

In case you missed it!  Here are the links to the series

“Getting Back to the Basics”

Let’s get social! Would love to connect with you social media!

Pinterest/Facebook/Instagram