Taking Responsibility

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it; (Psalm 24:1 NIV)

There is nothing like a presidential election year for pointing out how bad things have gotten in the world over the last four years. The republicans blame the democrats and the democrats blame the republicans. But no one... not one side or one person... is willing to come forward and say, "I take responsibility."

Of course, the problems are a lot more complex than that. None of the blame belongs entirely to one party and certainly not to one person as all the finger-pointing would have us believe. But wouldn't it be refreshing to hear someone say, "I take responsibility?"

There are certainly no shortage of folks willing to step up for the awards and accolades of something that, through the work of many, goes right. Everyone wants credit, but no one wants blame. It's the way of the world. It's human nature.

But it's not God's nature. God takes ownership of it all... the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly. He even took total resposibility for human sin by coming to earth and taking it all upon himself and paying the price. Awesome. I would vote for God! :)

What about each of us? What do we take responsibility for? Do we accept responsibilty for polluting the world? For using up an unfair share of natural resources? For the poor? For the oppressed?

Maybe none of it is our own personal "fault." The problems are complicated and systemic. But it is all each of our own responsibility. It's time to step up to the plate and say it: "I take responsibility."

Lord God,
Thank you for taking responsibility for my sin and removing it far from me. Help me to show my gratitude by taking responsibility in this world. Amen.

Joys: the peacefulness of the morning; looking forward to a fun weekend; so many prayers for Adam