Since my bride is a beautifully organized woman, she has created a color-coordinated chore chart for our children. Every morning our daughters see the work that needs to be done before the day’s end. I suppose there are two ways for them to see those charts. They could see them as chores, as regrettable labor that must be done to escape parental punishment. Or they could put the emphasis on “children’s” chores, as proof that they are part of a loving family. In either case, there is work for them to do. But only the second point of view is inspired by gratitude and fueled by love.

How do you view the “chores” the Father has commanded you to do, that list of laws that God wants obeyed? Jesus framed it like this: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love” (John 15:9,10). Notice that Jesus has commands (not suggestions) for you to keep. Yet, which word dominates the context? Love. Jesus wants you to know that he loves you as much as the Father loves him—perfectly and constantly. The delight that the Father feels for his Son, Jesus feels for you.

You might struggle with a certain aspect of the Christian life—forgiveness, contentment, purity, etc. But please start where Jesus did—with the divine love your Savior feels toward you. Yes, there are chores to be done. But it feels much less like a chore when you believe you’ve been chosen as a child in the Father’s family.