The nature of our responsibility changes from one season to the next. Things we were responsible for yesterday might no longer be part of our job description today. And we must know when to turn in our keys to our former role.
Each job comes with its own duties, privileges, and rights of access. And we’re given the keys needed to do our job effectively. But we’re also expected to turn in our keys when this is no longer our job. We do not have the same job privileges once our position has been terminated. And we bring much confusion and heartache to others and ourselves when we try to hold on to expired duties.
For instance, this might be as simple as handing off a project to someone else to finish. While it’s tempting to jump back in and fix things, this is no longer our obligation to do so. For better or worse, the project is in someone else’s hands now.
In raising our kids, it might also be tempting to jump back into micromanaging, rescuing, and fixing things for them when it’s time to respect their growing autonomy. It used to be our job to do many things for our kids when they were little, but we must turn in our keys to these old roles as they grow and mature.
This might also play out as we seek to bless others with our various gifts. Once we offer our strength, there remains a sense in which we must now turn in our keys and leave the results to them. Our duty was to offer, not to control outcomes.
It’s often a mix of false guilt and pride that keeps us holding on.
In the end, remain effective in all your future roles by turning in your keys to former ones. This allows you to live free while blessing others along the way.
Photo by George Becker
