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Do you like to-do lists?

Some people love checking boxes off their list. It is exhilarating and exciting. Other people feel bogged down when they have a long list of tasks to complete.

The Bible is full of a lot of lists. In the Old Testament, there were many rules that guided the people of Israel, but they couldn't live up to the standards that had been set. They broke rule after rule and ended up choosing to operate by their own standards. Unfortunately, making their own rules caused harm for themselves and their community.

When Jesus came to earth, he told his followers that all of the laws could be summed up with two rules: to love God with all your heart and to love others as you love yourself.

The people of Israel had gotten so frustrated and overwhelmed with the long list of rules that they missed the heart behind them. They were actually more like boundaries, given to help them experience and share love.

When we read the Bible, we — like the people of Israel — may become overwhelmed with what seems like an unending to-do list. As we read, let's not get discouraged, but let's see the reason behind God's guidance.

We don't need to check boxes off of a spiritual to-do list. Instead, we are called to experience God's love and extend that love to others.