HIS COMMANDS ARE NOT BURDENSOME

Delight not Duty

Jennifer Woodley

‘This is love for God: to obey his commands. 

And his commands are not burdensome’1 John 5:3 (NIV)

When we do things out of love for God and participate in activities directed by Him, there is never a sense of duty, but delight. 

Yet so often we do things that leave us feeling exhausted. 

We tell ourselves that a particular action is important. 

We may strive to have things perfect, in order and under control. 

And we will stress and strain placing value on what, in the big picture of life, is not very important at all. 

We expect so much of ourselves.

We need to listen to the voice of Love. 

Time to leave the high expectations behind. 

Duty is a rigorous, demanding taskmaster, but our loving God is not. 

True love for God means obeying His commands and His commands will never weigh us down like heavy burdens. 

The spontaneity of love is never crushed by the commands of a loving God. God’s commands will always bring us delight, not a sense of duty.

What feels like a duty in our lives right now? 

Are we forcing ourselves into situations that don’t fit? 

Squeezing ourselves into a model not designed by our loving God? 

There’s no joy when this happens. 

True love for God obeys His choices and trusts that what He has designed for us is best. 

The result is lightness of heart, peace of mind and a delight in obeying His voice.

‘Father your guiding words lead me into what is delightful and frees me from the sense of duty and high expectations I place upon myself. Thank you.’

Jennifer is an Australian freelance writer who enjoys encouraging others on their Christian journey through writing and mentoring. Contact