“Therefore, do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.” Colossians 2:16-19

Dear Jesus, I often live my life and feel a pressure on my day to get things done. Even my daily time with you in prayer and meditation often place a pressure on me to get this done. I carry a burden of certain attitudes that I should have, of certain things I need to do to be a good person at work, at home and in my community. I have a list of things that I should be doing and I’m burdened and pressured to check things off of that list. But Jesus, you have done everything God required already! You have already completed the check-list of God’s expectations and demands for me. Which means-I can hardly say it because it astounds me so. Which means that I’m already done with my check-list. All things that you required of me are already completed for me by you! Help me to live my life set free from the check-list that has already been completed. Help me to live with joy that comes out of this freedom you have accomplished for me. Amen.

Here is good news with which to start the day. All the things on God’s checklist given to you have already been checked off by Jesus.