Be Responsible . . . Take Action!

"Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it." (Ezra 10:4 NKJ)

Responsibility! I wish someone else had it or would take it off my shoulders. Marriage, parenting, job, and on it goes endlessly. The fact is I am responsible and cannot escape my responsibilities. They engulf me. When I awake in the morning . . . responsibilities. When I go out and when I come in . . . responsibilities.

No, I'm not whining and pining. I simply recognize that responsibility is an inevitable and heavy reality. Leaders often dread having to face their responsibilities. And this is not a new leadership concept. In the eighth century before the Christian era, a Jewish scribe and priest named Ezra was faced with his responsibility to teach the Law to the people returning from Babylonian captivity.

Ezra had become an expert in Sacred Law and took on the task to teach its commands and ordinances. But what Ezra discovered in the Lord's Law disturbed him because it identified errors among the returning captives. This is what leaders face occasionally. We are so zealous for doing the right thing then we discover getting the right thing done goes far beyond what we had envisioned in our zeal. Mother used to say it was "biting off more than we could chew."

The enormous pain and sorrow involved humbled Ezra and broke his heart. He knelt before the House of God and wept in agony over the situation. And as he prayed aloud, others began assembling with him before the House of God. As they listened to his repentant prayers, they too began to weep and repent.

Finally, Ezra finished his prayer and Shechaniah stood up in the crowd and encouraged him to fulfill his responsibility. Evidently Shechaniah was a man of faith because he acknowledged the sins of the people and proclaimed, "yet there is hope in Israel in spite of this" (Ezra 10:2 NKJ). There is always hope for us when we take responsibility for our sins.

It was a bitter day in Israel, yet Shechaniah boldly submitted to the counsel given by Ezra and "those who tremble at the commandment of our God." I think it is marvelous that Shechaniah respectfully deferred to Ezra's office (some are responsible to lead), but Shechaniah also expressed his willingness to support Ezra's decision (some are responsible to support the leader). What a great salute to Ezra's leadership!

Dear Father, thank you for the leadership of Jesus Christ our Lord. Empower me with the fortitude of leadership and the boldness to act. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Take Full Responsibility for Your Life and Actions!