Read: Numbers 18

Duty. I wonder what kind of images or emotions that word immediately stirs up for you.

For me, it reminds me of ‘Dutysheet’, the online page where I sign up for my duties (shifts) as a Special Constable for the Met. I have to complete a minimum of 16 hours per month, whether I feel like it or not. It’s a duty.

How about the word ‘responsibility’? Does that word conjure up the same or different images for you?

In Numbers 18, I read about the duties and responsibilities that Aaron the priest and his family had for the sanctuary – God’s meeting place with the Israelites. I guess a modern (but much lesser) comparison might be the security unit responsible for protecting Buckingham Palace or 10 Downing Street. Except these priesty guys aren’t just protecting the palace where the Queen resides – they’re protecting the place of God Almighty.

Pretty weighty, but the chapter also highlights some big privileges that come with those responsibilities. With my role as a Special, the responsibility that comes with carrying that badge and warrant card is that ‘even when you’re not on duty, you’re on duty’. But here’s a pretty big perk – you get free travel 24 hours a day in London! (For anyone who knows how expensive public transport is in London, you will know the thousands it saves me each year.)

As a youth leader, I endure some pretty frustrating days trying to get through to kids who seemingly just don’t care! Last Friday comes to mind. Duty.

But then there are days when I get a text like this from one of them: ‘Thank you Alex. U always make things happen. I’m grateful to have someone like u in our estate. u made a difference for me.’ Privilege.

Sometimes I wish I could go back to being 16 when I had no real responsibility, but had certain privileges. But one – that’s just not the way life is; and two – I don’t know if that’s the way to live life to the fullest.

Remember that Woody Allen quote? ‘80% of success is showing up.’ As long as we keep showing up, God can do amazing things for us but also amazing things through us.