Responsibility?

Speaking before a group of high school students who had just experienced an amazing weeklong retreat within the Grand Canyon, a chaperone commented, “You have a responsibility to go out into the world and tell people what you have seen.” 

Responsibility is not a word many want to hear about in our world today; we have each met many who suffer from ‘Peter Pan’ syndrome. Yet the man who uttered the above words entered boldly into Neverland and issued his challenge.  I have a hunch that is why each of us is given such privilege to begin with. John Muir. Johann Bach. Loren Eiseley. Chief Joseph. Each embraced the responsibility to share what they had seen.

Jesus did a similar thing when he embraced HIS responsibility.  As Jesus lived His life as an example before us, He was consistent to do only what He saw the Father doing (John 5.19). He shared only what He “heard” the Father say (John 7.16).

And yet my friend, the circle doesn’t end there. We too have a responsibility. Jesus said of us, “You will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1.8). 

Our Lord does not expect us to possess eloquence He has not bestowed.  He does not require that we speak of things we know nothing about.  However, God DOES expect us to go out into the world and tell people what we have seen.  It is our responsibility to share with others the love and forgiveness we have received. Doing this doesn’t require a Master’s Degree or Bible College – it DOES require a willingness to leave Neverland and embrace responsibility.  I'm wondering, what holds so many of us back?