What Obligation? [CHOOSING JOY by Katie Albers]

Obligation has a negative connotation for many people, including myself.  And this time of year is when many of us feel the pressure of obligations the most.  Sometimes I feel obligated to buy gifts for people that I don’t know very well.  I feel obligated to decorate my house differently and use certain cookware.  I might feel obligated to spend time with people that I don’t normally hang out with.  I feel obligated to give more to charities.  I even feel obligated sometimes to be “extra religious,” whatever that means.  No one likes to feel obligated.  Obligation robs us of joy.

Why is it that I feel obligated to do all of these seemingly nice things?   And what am I truly obligated to do this Christmas?

“Jesus replied:  ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’“ Matthew 22: 37-39 (NIV)

So, I am obligated to do the same thing this Christmas that is my responsibility all year long.  Show love!  First to God and then to others.  I notice that love myself, take time for myself, feel sorry for myself, didn’t make Jesus’ list of important commands.  I also notice that when I ignore my feelings of obligation and do those Christmasy things, like buying a gift, going to a party, giving to charity, and spending more time in reflection of God’s word, I actually receive joy, peace, and energy in return.

When we are showing love to God and others, and forgetting ourselves, there is no feeling of obligation.  Praise God!