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Day 17 Look Like Love

Inspiration for this post brought to you by my mom (:
I talked the other day about how I’m a 2 on the enneagram. 

2’s struggle most with pride. And I’ve realized mine has been unchecked the past few days. As a helper I want to care for people, get things done, and fix things. And in return for my oh so generous acts, I hope and expect you to care for me and my needs too. When those expectations aren’t met, cynicism can sneak into my heart and entangle itself in the truths I whisper to myself. 

I put 110% into everything I do. I strive for excellence and I do my best. I think that’s what we’re all called to— to do our best. But if we lose sight of love in the process, that’s when pride and self sufficiency become our close friends and patience and grace take a backseat. 

So how do we balance the two? Love is a true calling, and so is excellence. I know for me, I need to take a step back from myself. Pause in the moment, and ask why am I doing the work that I’m doing? Am I trying to pick up the slack of others because I’m impatient? Am I trying to prove myself? Am I in it for the title or the paycheck? Or am I here, wherever that may be, doing whatever I’m doing to my fullest ability because God has given me these strengths and has called me to use them to love the people around me? Do everything for his glory (Col. 3:17).

So I’m running from pride and towards love. Love cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Love is patient and kind and not a lot of other things like pride. I want to look like Love.

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