We have heard the statement, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” If that is true, how much are your actions worth? No, not the job you get paid for, but the actions you take without an expectation of payment.
Our human nature is to look to gain something for doing something for someone else. It may not be a cash amount. We may simply look to have them do something for us later. The reverse is also true, isn’t it. If someone does something for us, we feel indebted to them.
Unfortunately, we also know people who do something for someone to gain the other persons’ love. Sometimes, parents do this, especially if they work many hours during the week. They buy toys or spend large sums of money on elaborate vacations to “make it up” to their kids. Really, they simply want their children to know they love them and want their love in return.
Our actions tell a lot about us. We can see a persons’ beliefs through their actions. Our actions tell others where we stand. They show if we stand for truth. When we serve others, it is evident it is selfless or self-serving service. Our actions let others know if we are a giver or a taker. They show whether we are a protector or a person who needs protecting.
We often write all these indicators off as simply who we are. Yet, we can change them. Oh, it’s not simple. It requires a lot of work. It requires us to stop relying on ourselves and rely on someone far more powerful than us, Jesus Christ. I know, that sounds cliché or flippant. It is not. It is truth. I’ve been there, done that.
You see, when we decide to rely on God, we can overcome who we are and become who He intended us to be. We can rid ourselves of our selfishness and become selfless. We can leave behind being a taker and become a giver. We can stop being a person who needs protecting and become a protector.
How can we be transformed? Through reliance on God. By loving Him with all we are. God loves us and He will provide all we need. We can rely on Him, as we are told in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Jesus says He knows if we love Him or not. He knows by our actions. He knows by whether we keep His commands or not. You see, when we love someone, truly love them, we sacrifice ourselves for them. We do what they want, not what we want.
I pray we all love Jesus with all our heart. I pray we love Him with all our mind. I pray each of us love Him enough to give up ourselves for Him. Love Jesus. Obey His commands. Give yourself up for Him. Give yourself up for others. Trust God to provide all you need.
John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”
Marty Pressey 