Life HacksSample

Taking Responsibility

“Adulting” has become a frequently used word for all of the things that people need to do as grown-ups. The dictionary definition for the word is “the practice of behaving in a way characteristic of a responsible adult, especially accomplishing mundane but necessary tasks.” Adulting may encompass many emotions for you — it may make you feel bored (who wants to do mundane tasks?), afraid, excited, anxious, or happy. No matter what the feeling, adulting is unavoidable. We all grow up and have to face the responsibility of life at one point or another. 

Responsibility is one of those things that is freeing and suffocating at the same time. We want to be more responsible and have the opportunity to take on bigger and better things, but at the same time, responsibility can be overwhelming and may feel impossible. The Bible has a lot of wisdom to give about responsibility. In Matthew 25, Jesus told a story to his followers about a man who left his servants in charge of some money. Each of the servants ended up with a different result — two of them multiplied their money, but the third one was afraid and hid the money until the man returned home. That servant didn’t lose any money, but he didn’t gain any either. Because of his irresponsibility, the man was punished and not trusted with responsibility in the future. Jesus used this line in his story: “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given . . . but from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” 

If we want to take on more responsibility in the future, we need to take the responsibilities that we have now seriously. The best way to get started is by taking on small responsibilities, proving that we will work hard at those, then watching our faithfulness result in more significant responsibilities in the future. What small step of responsibility do you need to take today?

Challenge: Think of a step of responsibility you can take today, and take it. Some ideas might be paying a bill on your own, scheduling college classes, applying for a job, or taking on more responsibility around the house. Commit to taking a small step of responsibility right now.