Obligation

What obligations do you have? Do you feel overwhelmed by the number of them? Have you taken time to list your obligations? How many of them are obligations and how many are things you want to do? Do you know you have an obligation to God?

Our to-do lists may be longer than our arms. We may be so busy we feel we cannot take time to list all we need to do. Our list is maintained in our heads, which leads to us forgetting to do something. We feel overwhelmed, which can lead to depression.

Despite what many may think, as a pastor I understand. My wife has said I am busier now than when I worked as an enterprise architect for a large IT company. She is 100% correct. Unless you are a pastor or married to one or a child of one, you don’t fully comprehend all they have on their plates. The work is never done, even though they often work ten or more hours per day.

There are many jobs like that. It is especially true the higher in management you ascend. By the time you reach middle management, forty-five-to-fifty-hour weeks become normal. On top of that, there are family commitments. Throw in vacation and recreational events, and there is no time left for personal time.

Yet, just as Paul states he is obligated to proclaim the gospel, so are we. We call it the great commission. It is the commission Jesus gave the apostles…and to us. Why does Paul carry out his obligation? So that the gospel is given free of charge (1 Corinthians 9:18). We should have the mindset of Paul. Bringing eternal life to others without looking for any return other than the joy of seeing people come to Christ and accepting Him as their Lord and Savior.

I pray we all seek to fulfill our obligation to God. I pray we prioritize our to-do lists to we can spread the gospel. I pray each one of us will set a goal to bring at least one person to Christ every year. Fulfill your obligation to God. Spread the gospel. Bring someone to Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:16 If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!