Responsibility

A strange thing has happened to me this summer. You see, my son Noah has been asked by a number of people to help with some yard work for times that they would be away from home. This really took me by surprise. In many ways I continue to see Noah as not old enough to really help other people. Yet not only is he physically big enough but he has really learned how to take the responsibility and run with it.

So he has accepted the jobs that others have “hired” him for and done the work. Not only has he accepted them, but it’s really brought out something I wasn’t expecting, a sense of ownership in the jobs. He remembered before Traci and I did that he had the work to be done. He asks me if the lawn needs mowed yet. He tells us that he has to go down and water the flowers. He wakes up early to make sure it gets done, is willing to work out in the heat, etc.

This situation has had me thinking this week about how God uses us to reach His people. At one point or another we’re all just sitting around. We’ve grown some but aren’t always the most active. Then He tasks us with a job and expects us to get it done. He knows that we’re mature enough to handle the job, even if people around us don’t see it in us yet. Then we run with the task. We go out into the world and reach others for His cause. We take ownership of the task and make sure it gets done.

As Noah’s dad I have really enjoyed watching him take on these jobs this summer. I’ve always enjoyed watching him grow and mature, but by others asking him to do the work it really brought out even more in him. I think God enjoys the same things when He watches us mature and take on the responsibilities that He gives us.

This week, when you are given responsibilities, are you going to accept them and step up to the plate? God wants to use you to reach others in the world and He knows what you can take on, even if you or others around you don’t know if you are ready yet. Will you take on the tasks like Noah has and take full ownership?