Living with Purpose:

Embracing Divine Responsibilities

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it”.

God did not want the man He created to be idle; instead, He entrusted responsible work into his hands. God also trusted that the man would accomplish it without fail. He instructed the man to enjoy freely but to avoid a particular act. God, in His wisdom, shaped man and gave precise commands:

• You are free to eat from any tree.
• But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

In a similar manner, God expects me to be responsible for something. He also entrusts me with important tasks to be performed according to my capabilities. My work may differ from others', but God still instructs me to do certain tasks and refrain from others. He knows what will harm me, which is why He provides such precautionary instructions.

My responsibilities vary—whether at home, in educational institutions, in social settings, at the workplace, or in other areas. In every aspect of life, God calls me to fulfil certain tasks and refrain from others according to the responsibilities He has entrusted to me.

We need to consider, am I consciously doing what God has commanded me to do? Let us examine our lives and see if we are careful enough to listen and act on His instructions. He deals with each of us differently from others. God gives us a lot of freedom to decide and do things in this world. Just as God gave Adam the freedom to name all the creatures He created, are we using the freedom given to us wisely? Let us not misuse the freedom and violate what we are supposed to do according to His instructions.

"The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old: I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be" (Prov. 8:22-23).

"Choose my instructions instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence" (Prov. 8:10-12).

Prayer: Lord, help me learn to perform tasks according to your instructions alone, guided by wisdom and avoiding paths of destruction.