Faith & Responsibility

Lately, as my due date draws nearer, I’ve been thinking a lot about the new responsibilities I will need to learn to shoulder as a mother. Not just shoulder, but fully own with grace, even in the face of the increased stress that comes with parenthood. Becoming a mother feels all the more daunting when I look at the amazing women in my life and the examples they have set as patient, joyful, and deeply loving mothers, seemingly filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit and the gifts He brings.
I am so incredibly blessed to have a support system full of godly mothers who are not only wonderful examples to look to and learn from, but also attentive and encouraging friends who will walk alongside Cayden and me as we navigate becoming new parents. When I begin to overthink the parenting hurdles surely ahead—and dwell on the increasing sinfulness of our society and the pressures that Christian parents will inevitably face—these women have already helped center me. They gently bring me back around to the hope, peace, and joy found in God’s Word.
One of the most profound responsibilities that has been weighing on my heart lately is the role parents play in the spiritual development and well-being of their children. As I’ve considered what this truly means, I’ve also found myself reflecting on the women and mothers in my life who have set such a strong example for me. What sets them apart, I’ve realized, is not just how they parent, but how seriously they have always taken their calling as believers. Long before they became mothers, they were committed to boldly sharing the Word and love of Christ with those around them.
In contrast, I’ve had to confront the fact that I’ve never been that great at boldly sharing my faith or actively seeking out opportunities to witness. Too often, I’ve let the fear of rejection or the discomfort of confrontation keep me silent. I’ve been worried about the responsibilities I will hold as a parent, all while neglecting the responsibilities I already hold as a Christian.
Jesus' words in the Great Commission come to mind: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20, New International Version). This isn’t a suggestion, it’s a commission. It’s a direct charge given to all of us who follow Christ.
We need to take this call seriously. As believers, we are not meant to live in stagnation. The Christian life is not passive. It’s not enough to simply be “good people” or attend church regularly. We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13–16, NIV). That requires movement, intention, and engagement. It requires that we not only talk about our faith but live it out in a way that others can see and be drawn to Christ through us.
When I started to view parenting through this lens, everything changed. The thought of being responsible for sharing and showing the love and teachings of Christ with my daughter began to feel less intimidating and more like a privilege. If I’m already living out my faith daily (witnessing to others, serving joyfully, seeking Christ earnestly) then parenting won’t be a dramatic shift. It will simply be an extension of the life I’m already striving to live in Christ.
Parenting will still have its challenges, no doubt. But when the foundation is a life already built on the love and truth of Jesus, the task of raising a child to know and love Him feels less like a mountain to climb and more like a continuation of the journey I’m already on.
My hope and prayer for you, is that you will embrace your responsibilities as a believer, not as burdens, but as blessings. Whether you are a parent or not, the call remains the same: share Christ with boldness, live out His love with consistency, and see every opportunity to witness as a gift. When we understand that God has called each of us to be messengers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–20, NIV), it changes how we see our everyday lives. What once felt like a duty now becomes a privilege.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca took over as the editor of 
Fellowship Focus in 2023 and has enjoyed growing into the role and getting to know members of our churches across the US and Canada. She lives in Gering NE with her husband, Cayden. They eagerly anticipate the arrival of their first child in June.