Romans 12:18 begins with the phrase, “For so long as it depends on you, …” The remainder of the phrase is about the goal of peace, but for me that opening clause has true depth. It is dependent. It speaks to me and my effort. As long as it – whatever it is – depends on me.
We often hear the phrase, “Let go and let God,” which is a great admonishment regarding anxiety and worry. Many Christians send “hopes and prayers” to others. But, when we talk about our accountability and our actions, those phrases are too hands off. Too many people pray without action. James wrote an entire book of the Bible about it. Paul was all about faith in action. And Jesus never actually said anything about “taking the wheel.” As people of faith, we are called to faith in action.
I love this phrase, “For so long as it depends on you.” It raises the question of what depends on you? Your health? Your work? Your family? How about the poor, needy, and orphaned? Or justice? What depends on you? This is not about you replacing God or prayer, but rather you and I taking the actions that we are called to do. We are accountable to God, so our actions in this world depend on us. We are called to be active in this world. Things will be placed in our lives that depend on us showing up.
I love that I get to be responsible for stuff. God isn’t the Dad that makes us hand Him the tools forever. He is the God that wants us to turn the screws and drill the holes. He wants us to take action. We are called to perform within the opportunities that come along. We should anticipate them and enthusiastically go after them. Because the Creator of the Universe has opened chances for us to be like Him by serving. Think about it, Jesus said “feed my sheep.” For so long as people are hungry, they are depending on each of us. What a gracious God that lets us work and help others.
