Love  vs. Obligation

Hello Steemians!

Maybe some of us  are wondering about the Christian life, our relationship with others , and our daily walk with our Savior. Is it Love?, or is it an Obligation?  Maybe is it both?

Illustration Story:

Josh came home one quiet evening, after a whole day of  working on his father's farm. He was soaking in his own sweat, tired and hungry. He looked at his watch, it read 7:00 PM.  He wiped off the perspiration around his neck and face, with a pink handkerchief which Kayla gave him during his birthday.  He can still smell the faint perfume she was wearing the day she gave it to him. "Just in time for dinner!"  he thought, as he  went directly to his room and took a long cold shower.

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After dinner, Josh told his father, that he will be spending the whole day tomorrow in town with Kayla.  The old man replied with a raised, authoritarian voice. " You gotta work  tomorrow and get that land ready before the rain comes.  You understand me?"

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Josh nodded his head and quietly went out the room, dismayed, frustrated and angry. On the hallway he saw Sloppy, their Siamese cat, staring at him with cold steel blue eyes.

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"What are you staring at!"  Josh screamed at the innocent cat. Afraid that Josh might do something bad, Sloppy  ran as fast as he can  and vanished,  at the end of the hallway. 

The next day, Josh got up early and put on his denim farmer overalls. Recalling the confrontation he had with the old man last night, "Hmmm,  it would be  better to call Kayla and tell her everything." He hurriedly took out his vintage Nokia 3210 mobile phone from his right hand pocket, and started dialing the number. A sweet feminine voice answered, "Hello? Josh is that you?"  "Yes Kayla, it's me, got to work today at the farm. Dad's in a hurry and wanted me to finish plowing the land."  There was a long pause.  Then she replied,"It's alright , I understand.  Just take care of yourself okey?" With teary eyes and quivering voice, Josh replied, " Yeah, I will"

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That day, Josh toiled endlessly in his father's farm.

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The sun was setting when the plowing machine was parked at  the barn.  Josh drove home as usual, tired but very excited. He just completed the preparation of the land, and he was so eager to tell the old man about it.  " I think I need a break after this," he thought .

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As he approached the front porch,  the front door suddenly opened and his father appeared, somewhat surprised.  He waved at Josh to come near. "  Son, could you please rush to the super mart and get a gallon of ice cream for dessert?" 

With a raised voice Josh replied,  " This is too much! I've been toiling your field the whole day, under the heat of the sun!.  Can't you see!  I' m tired, wet and hungry!" With  calmness, the father said," Josh, Kayla is inside and she would be joining us for dinner." Josh was rather speechless and felt awkward at the moment.  "Aaaah, why didn't you tell me so!" then  in a rush ,Josh left and drove to the super mart.

Application

When we truly serve our Lord, we don't murmur, we don't complain. We go to church service, give in our tithes, offerings, and listen to the sermon because we love Him. This is not to be taken as an obligation. We love Him because He first loved us and gave His life at the cross at Calvary. That is LOVE in action. He never forces us. 

If you love Me, keep 

my commandments .

Matt. 14:15

We all have the freedom to obey or disobey. It's up to us.

Josh's acknowledgement of the order to prepare the field, is a good example of an obligation. He had no choice but to oblige and carry out  his fathers command. There's no love there. He was even frustrated and angry . 

But when Josh knew that Kayla was going to join them for dinner, there was no complaining and murmuring.  He then rushed to the super mart. That is again LOVE in action.

So, what is it ?  LOVE or OBLIGATION.

Let me leave you with a quote:

The best relationship is based on freedom

not, obligation.

Sevin Phillips,  MFT

May God Bless Us All.

@theseamaster