Tracy's thoughts

"Do we serve our community and neighbors to convert them or do we serve because we are converted?" I recently read an article discussing this question and found myself a bit conflicted on my thoughts. In all honesty, I admit that part of me believes my service efforts align with the former part of this statement. But the more I think about it, that reason sounds awful manipulative and bait-and-switch-like. So I'm left wrestling with my motives -- I want to authentically love those around me, but not feel like I have to. And as I process these motives, I definitely don't want to become frozen to my pew and do nothing.

John seems to say on many occasions that our love for others should flow from our understanding of how much Jesus loves us. Or, in other words, we are ultimately compelled to serve others. But at the same time, our compulsion must come without feeling like we "have to" serve. So, can I serve with pure motives all the time? And if not, then should I be serving at all?

I'm learning that in life, many things require a delicate balance. This seems to be another one of those areas.

So, when you serve (if you serve) others, where does your motivation come from?