“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

As a parent, sometimes I wake up in the morning and want to run away and hide from my responsibilities…

Last night’s dishes, yesterday’s laundry, unfinished work and Jaymin’s schoolwork all clamor for attention. I need to make coffee. The baby’s cry reminds me of yet another need, and Jaymin seeks my affection and time for play. On top of that, I have a responsibility to make calls for the church and host small group and I know they are having difficulty finding people to work in the the nursery, so I should probably offer my assistance there as well.

Exhausted before the day has even begun, I just want to throw the covers back over my head and think, “Why would God give me all this responsibility? Doesn’t He know I can’t take care of everything? Where can I go to get away from all of this work?”

I am finding that when the pressure of obeying God’s call seems too much, it’s extremely tempting to look for the easy way out.

I am not the only one though. Just ask Jonah. God had given him the task of prophesying to the wicked city of Nineveh, but Jonah decided it was too big of a responsibility. Hopping a boat to Joppa, Jonah worked just as hard at running away and hiding from God’s call as he would have worked if he obeyed.

Fortunately, God gave this reluctant prophet another chance to accept the job He had given. After being thrown overboard and spending three days in the belly of a big fish, Jonah decided that being a preacher wasn’t that bad, even if it was in a wicked city like Nineveh.

If the responsibilities God has given you are causing you to run and hide, be encouraged. Although you can’t see the way through the work right now, the Lord promises to uphold you with His wisdom and strength when you need them (Isaiah 41:10). As you obediently follow His will today, He continues to guide you with the next step tomorrow.

Step by step, day by day, you will get through the work and accomplish all He has planned for your family.

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32:8).