You're In Charge (Friday Devotional)

“Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’ So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

- Genesis 1:26-27

“You’re in charge while I’m gone.”

The first time a preteen child hears those words, typically in the context of watching their younger sibling for a few minutes, they know what a big deal it is. After all, there aren’t many times you’re in charge as a 9 or 10-year old, and there certainly aren’t many times when a grown-up gives you that kind of authority. Almost instantly, the child’s chest swells with pride, even as their mind starts to run wild. Will they run things just like their parents in order to prove how responsible they are? Or will they use their newfound autonomy to explore some things which are normally off-limits?

This choice between using authority responsibly or selfishly is one we face more often the older we get. In the Bible’s account of creation, we are told that humans were made “in the image of God,” a glorious mystery with far-reaching implications. Part of what it means to be made in His image and according to His likeness, God says, is that we have dominion over the rest of creation, from the fish to the birds to the plants. Even as God is authority over all, He has given us some measure of authority too.

But with authority comes responsibility. “Dominion” doesn’t mean we can or should run roughshod over what God has given us. Even as God takes care of the things over which He has authority, we are expected to do the same. God doesn’t entrust us with authority just so we can look after ourselves, but so that we can use, enjoy, and replenish what He has given us. We are masters, but more than that we are stewards.

There are undoubtedly other areas of life in which you have authority—in your home, your workplace, your social circle, or your church perhaps. Do you use your authority like a weapon or a tool, forcefully or graciously? Are you more concerned with what you get out of your authority or what you give? God made clear from the beginning that having authority is part of what it means to be human—so how do you operate when you’re in charge?