We have a responsibility to the world around us. God has uniquely gifted each of us to use our strength for the benefit of the many. But in serving the world at large, we must not neglect those closest to home and in our very house.
Of course we feel good about the impact we have in the world. It’s part of how God has wired us – to move into the chaos of the outside world in order to bring more life and goodness.
We’re wired to do and despair often sets in when we’re not regularly fulfilling this deep work and purpose God has called us to.
But our work is not singular in focus – just toward the outside world. We have a sacred duty to care for those in our household as well.
In fact, there are many times in which the mundane goodness of caring for our own home trumps our work in the world.
For instance, our work might be delayed as we care for a sick child, our wife’s heart as she shares about her day, or the growing needs of our aging parents.
Whatever it looks like, we have many everyday responsibilities to our household that often come before our duties to the world at large.
This is not to suggest our outside work is less important. To be sure, there’s an elusive balance we try to maintain between the two.
But it does remind us there are those who have full access to us for their special needs, however small. These are the privileges of family and close friends, and our responsibility to them.
And while we’re finite, this is how we’ve come to know God – who is never too busy to hear from and care for his own.
Make your impact in the world at large. But don’t forget your duty to care for those closest to home.
Photo by Jimmy Dean on Unsplash
