I am responsible  to love others with unconditional, Christlike love.  {John 15:12}

I am responsible for my own life choices, and for the consequences of those choices. {Galatians 6:7-9}

I am responsible to nurture a daily, growing relationship with God through prayer and His Word, and to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. {Galatians 5:22-23}

I am responsible to pray for and give of myself and my finances to missions. {2 Corinthians 9:10-13}

I am responsible to be aware of satan’s temptations and snares, and to resist my fleshly tendencies toward sin.  {James 4:7}

I am responsible for training my children to become not just good, but Godly adults. {Proverbs 22:6}

I am responsible to honour and obey my husband, allowing him to be the leader of our home.  {1 Peter 3:6}

I am responsible to choose words that will build others up, that will extend grace, and that will offer comfort. {Colossians 4:6}

I am responsible to submit to the Holy Spirit and forgive those who wrong me, refusing to hold a grudge against anyone. {Mark 11:25}

I am responsible to live a life of moral purity and holiness. {Psalm 96:9}

I am responsible to manage finances in a practical, wise manner. {Matthew 6:24}

I am responsible to serve God and others with a joyful spirit. {Philippians 2:7}

I am responsible to share the Gospel with unbelievers, and to fellowship by enjoying God with other believers. {Mark 16:15 and Malachi 3:16}

I am responsible to be fully surrendered to God’s will for my life, and to live out His plan with confidence. {Romans 12:1 and Isaiah 30:15}

I am responsible to be an example of Godly character to all those I come in contact with. {1 Timothy 4:12}

I am responsible to esteem and obey the Words of God. {Job 23:12 and Luke 11:28}

I am responsible to be like Christ. {1 Peter 1:16}

And it’s not because I’m a pastor’s wife.

“What would you think if I were living the way you are living?” I’ve asked folks in counseling. “Oh, but you’re the pastor’s wife. You’re ‘up here,'” they’ve responded. This is how it translates to me: “You’re a pastor’s wife. You have to be Godly.”

This constraint to be a Godly woman- it’s not because I’m a pastor’s wife. It’s because I’m a child of God, saved by grace through faith in His finished work on the cross for my sin. The principles of Godliness are given to every believer, not just to those involved in ministry leadership.  True, leaders have differing practical responsibilities when it comes to caring for a flock, and they are held to a higher standard of accountability before God.  But the perception that lay people can embrace sin or not have to live a devoted, sold out life for God is a serious fallacy.

Can you imagine what would happen if we would each see ourselves as individuals before a holy God, not as a person standing beside someone else…or above someone else…or below someone else?  Just me and God. Just you and God. In public and in private.

Let’s determine to be Godly people. And let’s refuse to let anyTHING or anyONE deter us from that path!

It’s a path of immeasurable blessing….not reserved just for the pastor’s wife.

XOXO,

A Kindred Spirit

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