Most of my life I have lived obligated. Obligated to the needs of others, obligated to what culture, family and religion expected me to be, and obligated to be something that inside I knew I couldn’t live up to.

Nine months ago I looked at everything I was doing in my life and I asked the question “why”. What mysterious pressures was I adding to my own life that were not really necessary? I called the process “unburdening”. The longer and longer I live I am convinced that Jesus Christ never intended to start a new religion called Christianity. I am convinced he came to teach us how to live. Obligation can be very heavy; where is the light burden promised?

Even this morning as I write, I can feel Jesus calling me deeper into being, not being obligated; deeper into loving myself and loving others. The only obligation the picture of his life offers to us is we are obligated to love.

What obligations do you need to get rid of in your life?