More than a decade ago, I enjoyed to listen to a rap song titled “Life Goes On” by Tupac. The song had a sentimental kind of feeling to it, and you can sense that Tupac longed for something deeper.
The reason why I bring this song up is because, I’m feeling a little nostalgic right now. On the other side, I am also dreaming of the future.
These days, I’ve been getting sick more often than I would like to. When Selah catches a cold, I usually always catch it from her. Something very interesting that I observed is that when children are sick, they still love to run around, play with other kids, and jump and dance and sing and it looks like they’re not sick. But actually while they’re running around, they’re coughing all over the place, and have snot running down their nose – mommies chasing after them to wipe their nose every 10 minutes. They always have this enviable burst of energy and they don’t want to miss any moment of life. They don’t really have responsibilities at this age, except to eat well, sleep well, play well, learn well and receive a lot of love. 
Children are indeed so pure and lovable!
But since I’m an adult, when I’m sick, I still have so many responsibilities in front of me. Deep in my heart, I want to serve and love God, family, ministry, colleagues, friends, the world well and diligently. Yet, there is this guiltiness that creeps in when I am unable to fulfill all my duties.
Do you ever feel that way also?
In Romans, Apostle Paul encourages us that to keep responsibilities well is not the ultimate goal in life. Of course we want to do things well, and please God and to please people, and to enjoy life at the same time. But it’s IMPOSSIBLE on my own! Mankind by our own strength, even at our very best, we fail to fulfill ALL our responsibilities. Unless you’re a super human! We can try our best, but we still lack in many ways.
Paul explains about the life that is in law, and the life that is in love. Many times we do not realize and do not want to admit that we are living a life that is bound by law and responsibilities. And we judge others based on what they can do or not do.
Life is about love. Which is the reason behind all that we love. And for Christians, we remember that it’s about what Christ has done for us, revealing the ultimate love. He showed us a life that is set free from the stuffy law, and fulfilled by the Gospel. When we learn to follow Jesus and live by the Gospel, which is love, our hearts can become free and as wide as the ocean. We can view others with the value that comes not from what they can do, but from what Christ has done – through the eyes of faith.
I’m praying that in this period of Lent, until Easter, that I won’t get stuck in situations and in the law. But instead, gain the freedom in Christ. With Christ, life goes on, with clear purpose and love!
