Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men.
Ephesians 6:7
What is your motivation to love your spouse?
Are you motivated by how much love he shows to you or are you motivated by the things he does for you? Are you motivated to love him when he’s treating you like a queen or because you promised to love him simply because of a vow you made on your wedding day? What if I told you that none of those should not be your motivation? What if I told you that your motivation had NOTHING to do with loving your spouse and EVERYTHING to do with showing your love and devotion to the Lord?
Hmm. Would that change things?
I am willing to bet that right now you think I have lost my mind. 29 days of doing this Love Dare has made me go completely crazy. The only thing is, I’m not.
If God is supposed to be the source from which everything else flows, the One who you love above all and everything else, then your motivation should be to respect and love Him first. When your relationship with your Lord is the focus of your life and your motivation is to please Him first, the way you love your husband will change. Instead of being motivated to love your spouse because of how he is behaving, you will be able to love him “as to the Lord’. Pleasing God should be your motivation. Try it out. When you are struggling to feel motivated to love your husband, stop and think about loving him for God, as God would intend you to. I believe it might make a huge difference in your marriage!
Today’s dare.
Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs. Whether it comes easy for you or not, say “I love you,” then express love to them in some tangible way. Go to God in prayer again, thanking Him for giving you the privilege of loving this one special person – unconditionally, the way He loves both of you.
At the end of the day, answer these questions:
1. How will this change of motivation affect your relationship and reactions?
2. What does this inspire you to do?
3. What does it inspire you to stop doing?
Congratulations! You have completed Day 29! Tomorrow’s dare is Love Brings Unity.
