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Three Things God Wants You to Own and Three Ways to Do It

I remember the day my husband and I brought our first baby home from the hospital. The sheer terror of having the responsibility of caring and protecting a helpless infant overwhelmed me. Perhaps you are overwhelmed with some of the responsibilities you have been given. When faced with overwhelming challenges, your all-powerful Creator God has promised to give you his strength. He will renew you and help you face your fears and accomplish the seemingly impossible tasks he has called you to do.

As a Christ follower, you have been given many different types of responsibility. Your work, your church, and your family are all areas in your life that depend on you to make wise choices and be steadfast in your commitment to them. The key is to discern what responsibilities God has called us to and which responsibilities are things we need to lay down for a season or forever.

The Bible shows us three main areas where we are expected to be responsible:

1. Own and embrace your calling and your election. 2 Peter 1:10 (NLT) says, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” This verse is saying that not only do you need to accept Christ’s salvation, but you also need to know that God chose you, invited you, picked you to be his child. We are commanded here to be confident in our personal invitation to know him and accept his sacrifice.
   
2. Own the quality of your work. You are responsible for good work. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Realize that your work is not for your boss or even yourself. It is for God, so it better be good.
   
3. Own your responsibilities. You are in charge of bearing your own load. Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV) explains, “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” You are not responsible for other’s jobs and tasks, but you are responsible for those you have committed to.
   

If this list of expected responsibilities from God disheartens or overwhelms you, don’t despair! God does not expect you to do this on your own.  

Here are three ways God will help you:

1. Allow God to strengthen you by studying his word: “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word,” Psalm 119:28 (NIV).
2. Hope in God to renew your resolve: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV). Wait in his presence, affirming your trust in him.
3. Focus your heart, mind, and strength on God, not the task: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” Mark 12:30 (NIV). When you do this, you get all of the energy and strength that you need.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need,” Matthew 6:33 (NLT).