The biggest motivator of all

I had a conversation yesterday with someone who no longer believes in the Gospel.  Part of his argument was that he doesn't want to subscribe to beliefs that boil everything down into either avoiding going to hell or trying to get to heaven.  The main motivation being fear or maybe even reward.  Whatever his argument was, I really thought about it.  I thought about what made me get up in the morning at 6 am today to go to the temple. I thought about what draws me to pray to my Heavenly Father regularly.  Is it fear of going to hell or looking for some great reward like heaven?  I thought about what the motivations behind trying to treat my children well and to try and become a better mother.  I thought about what pushes me to learn more in my career.  And what makes me get up and try and again when I really don't want to anymore.  Is it because I don't want to burn in hell or because I am worried about not getting 40 virgins after I die? ;)

I think the biggest motivator that leads me to change or to try harder or to do better is my love for my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I love them so much.  And I think if my measly little heart can connect with that love and as a result create things in my life that are good, it is no wonder that God can move mountains and create an Earth because of His unconditional love.  I realize His true motivation is love for everything He chooses to do.  This thought makes me feel really happy.  This thought helps me trust Him.  I feel connected to Him because I know what it feels like to have so much love for someone who is struggling and want to ease their burdens. That I can see of little of Him in me brings me courage.  It brings me courage to be a better witness for Him.  I want to represent Him the best I can.  I was talking to one of my friends and explained that I would love my life to somehow be a living testament of God's magnificent power.  I am nothing.  And anything that is something great in my life is because of Him.  I have a control group to compare it to.  When I am in tune with Him, I am who He wants me to be.  When I'm not, I'm just a ridiculous human being.  I can put it to the test.

I think I can understand a portion of what He sees and how He works when I connect with His love.  I think as I become more like Him, I will see others with only more compassion and tremendous love.  I will love everyone the same regardless of what they look like, what they do or how they think.  I'm far from this, but I want to strive for that because I want to be just like Him.   And why do I want to do this?  Because I love Him and trust in Him.

This guy and I talked to for a couple hours.  When we were about to depart he said, "If your religion does what you say it does, helps you love others more, then I guess I have no argument for it."  He said he appreciated our interaction and would like to even by my friend.  I felt like I stood as a decent witness for God and helped him feel what God feels for him.  And sometimes that is the only interaction some people will have with Him.  And I am honored to be able to stand in His place. I think this is what makes a good servant.  And I hope I can do this more often, even when it is difficult.