Wednesday, October 3, 2012 -- Responsible Living -- Freely Answering God's Call

Every day we are called to life with God and others in loving, caring and blessing relationship.  Every day God is giving us everything we need to live life well. What are we doing to make responsible use of the gift we have been given?  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)

As parents of a young child work together for the benefit of the child, so we are meant to partner with God to care for others. As parents, our protection and provision in life does not come from our children.  We share life with them and experience many blessings in our relationship.  At the same time, we are aware that they cannot give more than they have and, as their parents, we do not wait for their demands to call us to responsible action.  We think ahead about what is right and safe and nurturing for them, and we meet their needs, because it is the right thing to do.  So it is with others around us.  A life of loving responsibility is one that blesses without expectation, and receives gifts with joy. We live for and with God who is our provider rather than under any obligation or expectation of others.

This kind of responsible living frees us to be able to set the agenda every day with God, and, accomplish it every day with God.  We can begin every day knowing we have great things ahead of us that no one can take from us, regardless of challenging behaviours or circumstances.  God has created us to live for eternal values and things of the heart.  We too often act irresponsibly by avoiding God’s clear demands on our time and actions and instead shift our focus to things around us.  In doing so, we twist our understanding of the important things of life because of deficiencies we find and end up living a frustrating life shaped on lies. 

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.  Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you. (Galatians 6:8, Hosea 10:12 NLT).