“Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right” (Proverbs20:11)
I worked for several years as a Sabbath School teacher and as Chaplain for the Pathfinder Club. In both places I watched many teenagers become young adults that are wonderful leaders, serving God with all their hearts.
You can learn a lot about people by observing their behavior, whether it is good or bad. Today I want to tell you about one trait that always characterized a certain young person who today is not only an excellent leader, but also my friend. That trait is responsibility.
Whenever he was assigned a task, Martin carried it out carefully, completely, and on time. You could count on his sense of responsibility. Whether it was telling a mission story in Sabbath School, setting up the flags before the Pathfinder Club meeting, getting the bonfire going, leading out in the marching drill, or any other task that was assigned to him, you could trust him completely to do the task well, on time, and correctly. He was often the first to arrive and the last to leave.
I could see how God blessed him in his studies and helped him organize his time in such a way that he could fulfill all of his duties. He was soon chosen to fill an important position, and he was already hired before he even graduated.
We usually take for granted that people will act this way, but the truth is it isn’t easy to find people with this quality. When things go wrong and people don’t show up, we realize where the empty spots are.
If ever there was a time when we needed to understand our responsibilities, it is now, when truth is fallen in the streets and equity cannot enter. Satan has come down with great power to work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; and everything that can be shaken will be shaken, and those things that cannot be shaken will remain. The Lord is coming very soon, and we are entering into scenes of calamity. Satanic agencies, though unseen, are working to destroy human life. But if our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall see of His grace and salvation» (Colporteur Ministry, ch. 2, p. 9).
Responsibility is a quality that should characterize us in every walk or life. It should be especially present when we are taking on the task of spreading truth and fulfilling our mission.
I pray that we we be known for our good deeds; may we be found worthy of trust and be responsible children of God.
