Julie rang the bell, and then smiled at the man who opened the door. This was her second week to babysit for Mr. Thompson while he conducted a meeting in his living room. She had been surprised last week to find the playroom in the basement, but it had been well lit and filled with toys and kids

“Hi, Mr. Thompson,” she smiled at him.

He smiled back. “Hi Julie! You’re just in time. The kids are waiting for you.”

She followed Mr. Thompson past the dining room to the basement door. He stopped just before opening it. Turning to her, he said, “I heard they gave you a hard time last week. I want you to know that although they may try to convince you otherwise, you’re the one in charge. Remind them of that if you need to. I will be up here if an emergency happens, but I trust you to take care of them until my meeting is over.”

Julie nodded at Mr. Thompson as he opened the door, and then followed the sounds of laughter dancing up the steps. Being paid to do what she loved filled her with joy, tempered with the weight of responsibility. Ultimately, she knew Mr. Thompson was in control of everything, but that didn’t mean he told her which games to pull out, when to intervene in a squabble, or whether to give them their snack on plates or napkins. He trusted her to make moment by moment decisions, and only got involved when she came to him for help or when the noise level indicated his presence was necessary to restore order. Or, if she misused her authority, the children’s cries reached his ears.

Mr. Thompson’s charge to Julie is similar to God’s charge to us concerning the earth. He has told us to take care of it and of each other. Just as Julie had been given the authority to rule the children, He gives us the authority to rule the earth. Ultimately, He is in control of everything, but that doesn’t mean He tells us which shirt to wear, what to eat for breakfast, or what color car to buy. He trusts us to make moment by moment decisions, and gets involved when we go to Him for help or when the circumstances indicate His presence is needed to restore order. Or, if we misuse our authority, the cries of the vulnerable reach His ears.

Some people view God in the same way Julie viewed Mr. Thompson. They believe He is upstairs, but after charging us to take care of everything, He withdrew. He provides everything we need, but He watches from a distance, rarely intervening if at all.

The difference is…

Mr. Thompson could not be in two places at the same time. He couldn’t be at his meeting and watch what Julie and the children did at the same time. Thus he could not make suggestions to help Julie care for the children. He could provide all that she would need, but the floor between them kept him at a distance, leaving Julie to carry out her charge the best she could.

However, God is everywhere at every moment. He is both in heaven watching us as we carry out our charge, and right by our sides whispering suggestions to keep us on the path. He may not tell us which book to read next – although He might – but if we are alert to His gentle nudging, He will guide us moment by moment in the areas that count.

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Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over… all the earth…” Gen 1:26

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.  Is 30:21