Motivated by Love

As a theatre teacher, I talk to my students a lot about their objective (goal) in a scene. What is it that their character hopes to achieve? And what motivates them to achieve this goal? I also often tell my students that when performing the scene, they are merely inhabiting another person's life perspective. They spend a lot of time creating characters, understanding objectives, motivations and tactics. I started thinking about how this is all applicable in real life.
I started thinking about what motivates people to do what they do. And I've determined that there are two major driving forces that motivate us. One is fear/guilt and one is love.
I went to the farewell this morning of a former student who is leaving to serve a mission in Japan. Her talk was great, all about turning to Christ in times of trial and tribulation. But, the woman who spoke before her talked about how she had failed to be a good missionary, how she had missed opportunities and how she was such a bad person. Frankly, it wasn't very uplifting as she berated herself and her missed opportunities over the pulpit. She was feeling guilt that she hadn't shared the gospel. But, she didn't need to beat herself up over it. And, I started thinking about why should we share the gospel and things that make us happy? It's because we understand what it means to love. We understand that God is love and we just want people to know.
When we choose to make a change, I believe we are more successful when we come from a place motivated by love and confidence. If we want to change something about ourselves we don't like and we feel guilty or fearful about our actions or lack thereof, we are doomed to fail. But, when we learn to love and celebrate the good- when are actions are motivated by love in whatever capacity, we will succeed.
This is my goal: to be more motivated by love rather than fear, guilt or worse obligation. To have love drive and inspire my actions, goals and life. How much more wonderful life would be if we could but shift our perspective, to see the world through the lens of love? To see those who need a lift, to see the beauty in a moment and not be afraid. To trust that if we love and do our best, The Lord will truly make up the difference and out lives will become what they have the potential to be. That no matter our objective in this life, if we have love motivate and inspire us- we can change the world and ourselves.
Let love be the motivator.