Opportunity or obligation?

Last week I had my mid year exams for college. While I am glad they are over, I certainly learnt a lot while studying for them. As a friend and I were praying before one of them, we were reminded of the incredible privilege it is to freely study the Bible. Its a privilege that we easily take for granted, and one that is far from a reality for so many people around the world. Thinking about this reminded me of an awesome talk I heard at a church in Portland, Oregon last year. The message of it really stuck with me.

It was talking about how we should view things such as Bible reading, prayer, (studying) etc as an opportunity not an obligation! At times I was studying because I had an exam and I felt like I should, but on remembering this I was able to see my studying as an opportunity to grow; to learn more about God, his Word, and how it has shaped the history of the world thus far. 

If I do something out of a sense of obligation, I often feel guilty if I don't do it. But that's not how God meant our relationship with him to be. Its a loving relationship. One where we should walk through life with Christ under the love of God, not the fear of him. 

Serving Christ and living for him is an opportunity not to be missed!