Everything is not ours to own. And certainly there’s wisdom in refusing to carry a burden of responsibility that’s not ours to carry. But it’s a mistake to assume we can live completely free of responsibility. We must be willing to accept the mantle of responsibility for the kingdom of influence God has entrusted to us.
It’s true we’re often burdened with too much responsibility – the expectation that every problem is ours to take care of. And this can leave us growing resentful for having to carry relational and social burdens that were never ours in the first place.
But the opposite extreme is not the answer either – wanting to disown all responsibility and be concerned only with meeting our own desires.
God has given us each our own realm of influence – our kingdom for making things happen. Professionally, this might not be a position of great status or leadership. Our career path might always be in supportive roles or working for others. But whether we’re the butcher, the baker, or the candlestick maker, we should fully embrace the kingship God has given us – our role in advancing his kingdom of light.
And it’s through accepting this mantle of responsibility that we discover what makes us come alive. To be sure, we burn out taking on the burdens of others. But we remain dull and impotent without some meaningful avenue to pour out our life force.
Taking our rightful place on whatever throne God has given us allows our strength to be a blessing for others. But this blesses us as well, as we’re living in the fullness of who God has called us to be.
In the end, you’re not responsible for everything. But God has given you your own sphere of influence. And here you must faithfully take up your mantle of responsibility. This blesses everyone, including you.
Photo by Mitchell Griest on Unsplash
