Inspiration can strike anywhere, and while at church this weekend, a Bible verse really resonated with me. It made me sit up and take note. My mind didn’t wander to the list of chores I needed to do or what to cook for dinner. I was laser focused on what these words could mean to me and how to make sure I implemented them into my daily routine. “Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
“Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and in truth.” -1 John 3:18
Of course, we have all been told that actions speak louder than words. I try to live by that motto. What struck me with this Bible verse was the association of our actions and truthfulness with love.
As a side note, my primary love language is “acts of service.” Nothing says “I love you” to me more than someone folding the laundry, making a meal, washing my car, weeding the flowerbeds, or emptying the dishwasher without being asked. Those “acts of service” mean so much more to me than flowers and jewelry. Someone sacrificing their precious time to take work off of my plate makes me feel appreciated in a way that a gift doesn’t. (Read more about love languages in this article on HuffingtonPost.com. You can also search for love language quizzes online to determine the primary love language for you, your significant other, and even your children.)
How are actions more important than words in living a good life? What we do determines who we really are. We all know people who say all of the right things but don’t actually deliver on them. Think back to every group project you ever did in school! Have you ever had a boss that made promises that never materialized? Don’t we all have that friend who is the first to say yes to plans, yet always seems to back out at the last minute? Did you ever know a child whose parent promised to teach him or her to ride a bike, but always seemed too busy to do it?
In all honesty, the people in the examples above all wanted to put their words into actions. People don’t really set out to disappoint others. What keeps people from following through on the things we say we will do? Sometimes we become so focused on ourselves that we minimize the other people in our lives. Often, we get stretched too thinly, and something has to give. It is normal for those things to happen on occasion. However, if people remain in an egocentric state, their bonds with others suffer.
The main message in our church service this weekend was how relationships are a two-way street that require participation by both parties. Failure is inevitable if one person does all of the giving and one does all of the taking. We have all had takers in our lives. They rarely consider or value our time, ideas, or generosity. What are the takers’ actions saying about them? They don’t value the relationship if they aren’t contributing to it by their actions. It takes a lot of work to help a true taker see that they need to change, and the success rate is small. For those who are just a little egocentric or self-centered, modeling giving and thoughtful behavior and discussing both parties’ actions and responses can provide a positive growth opportunity.
We all need to work hard to follow through with what we say we are going to do. Our words should be binding. Our truths build trust and show love and respect. Doing for others sets great examples for our kids, and it will help them build empathy. Living a life of action and honoring our words allows us to help others and ourselves more successfully and contribute to creating a wonderful community. Stick to goals. Don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk. Our positive, dependable actions will highlight our truthful and loving nature.
For more motivation, see our Motivation Page. The “Don’t Kick Cats” article reminds us of the importance of not spreading negativity and anger. “Where are our Manners Taking Us” highlights the importance of our gestures and manners towards others.
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If you are looking for a way to combine a gift with an act of service, how about a beautiful photo book for a loved one? These are great for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation, birthdays. The items below contain affiliate links, which means that if you choose to purchase something through the links below, we earn a little bit of the sale. It doesn’t cost you anything, and it helps us pay the bills. Thank you for the support!
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