Responsibility can be a scary thing. It is the defining characteristic of adult life, yet young children (with very little responsibility and a great deal of naiveté) count down their days until adulthood as if watching a pot boil. Once grown, however, the naiveté wears off and reality sets in. “It’s all on you” says Life. “Sure, you have help from the advice and examples of others, and certainly from God, but when it comes down to making the decisions in your life, it’s all on You.”

Responsibility is responding to our obligations with conscious choices. It is unique to humans, yet so many dread it. Some even resort to substance abuse in an effort to avoid it. Drugs and alcohol can seem attractive, but I think their biggest appeal is in their temporary release from the reality of responsibility. When the drunkard awakes with a headache, it is not only from the chemical effects of the alcohol, but from the startling realization that life still presses on. “It’s still all on you” says Life. Others respond to responsibility by becoming blamers, dodgers, and hand-off-ers.

Blamers: In 1 Samuel 15, it was Saul’s responsibility to annihilate the Amalekites, but when he failed he blamed it on the people (v. 15, 21, 24). When Adam failed his responsibility to stay away from the forbidden tree, he blamed it on the woman (Gen. 3:12). When the woman failed to obey God, she blamed it on the serpent (Gen. 3:13). Yet, there was no room for blame in God’s command “You shall not eat of it.”

Dodgers: In Luke 10:29, the man tried to justify not fulfilling his responsibility to others by asking Jesus the question “And who is my neighbor?” He wanted to avoid responsibility altogether.

Hand-off-ers: In 1 Kings 20, we see King Ahab trying to hand off his responsibility to someone else. When the prophet of God tells Ahab he must fight Ben Hadad of Syria, Ahab replies “Who will set the battle in order?” to which the prophet simply replied “You.” (1 Kings 20:13-14).

Responsibility is feared, dreaded, and avoided by so many today, but as Christians we should see responsibility as a blessing! Our ability to make conscious decisions in life separates us from the animals that simply live on instinct.

Our God has given us the ability to choose the life we lead (Joshua 24:15) and a life chosen is a much richer life. Love chosen is a much deeper love, and faith established by our own response to the Gospel is a much stronger faith.

Instead of being blamers, dodgers, or hand-off-ers, let us view our obligations as opportunities to step up to the plate and make good choices for our God. Next time God calls upon “You,” remember the prophet Isaiah who responded “Here am I! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8).

Brian Messerli