Responsibility: Your response to natural abilities Ii your response to greatness

It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities – John Mason

Responsibility is the price for greatness. Although greatness starts with a God-given dream, you have a role to play to make that dream a reality. You can’t fold your hands and expect that things would work out. According to Steven Covey, the word ‘responsibility stands for: ‘response – ability, i.e. our ability to respond to situations. This is an intriguing fact – too many people spend valuable time reacting negatively to situations; they focus on the things, which did not work for them e.g. a poor family background, lack of education, etc. and make excuses at every opportunity. An excuse is never a valid reason.

One of the greatest Presidents of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, suddenly got stricken with Polio. But this did not stop him from pursuing his political ambitions, as he ended up being the 32nd President of the United States of America, even though he was on a wheel chair. He chose not to allow his current situation affect his dreams. Your response to situations would determine how far you go in life.

The Bible also offers us several examples of men, who conquered and overcame. One of my favourite characters is Joseph, a young man betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery in a strange land, far away from his birthplace. It seemed like Joseph’s dreams had been dashed, but he carried on and didn’t react to the negative situation. Eventually he was able to fulfil that dream in a strange land.

Are you discouraged? Have your dreams been dashed or broken? I want to tell you that you are made of the stuff that champions are made of. You need to be aware of your responses, even when things don’t go the way you expect.

I urge you to read Joseph’s story in Genesis chapter 37, 39, 40 and 41. The path of greatness is full of obstacles, so you must be determined to keep forging ahead. You cannot control your circumstances all the time, but you are fully in control of your reactions or responses to them.

I have no doubt that you are destined for greatness, but God has made you a custodian of your own destiny, and so, you must take full responsibility, as nobody else will. How you respond to events today will determine how you end tomorrow.

“Work” is the tool, which has been committed in your hands, regardless of your employment status (employee, employer of labour or self- employed). As a student, your academics is the tool in your hands. If you are searching for a job, there will always be opportunities to put your hand to work –you can put your skills to work in your local church or your community. Be responsible, be diligent and you will reap the benefits in due time.

Below, Proverbs 22:29 gives a clear picture of the result of being diligent.

“Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people” NLT.

Diligence precedes promotion. The ability to create a profitable cause is within you. Don’t wait.

I pray that God gives you the grace to realise your responsibilities and assignments and the strength to respond, as you should. May you walk in your God-given purpose in Jesus name. Amen.

I would love to hear from you; @yemidavids, pastoryemi@globalimpactng.org or visit www, globalimpactng.org or The Goodland, Ifako Bus Stop along Ogudu-Oworo Expressway, Lagos. @Globalimpactng. See you next week!