It’s Part of My Job Description

“I do take it upon myself to annoy her from time to time. It’s part of my job description.”

Anonymous

Have you ever read a quote like this? This is a young boy talking about his relationship with his older sister. In our culture today this seems to be something we’ve come to just accept.

Older siblings are bossy. Younger siblings are annoying. It’s just what they are. It’s part of their job description.

I’m here to tell you that it’s wrong.

Being bossy or annoying is not okay. It’s not something you should just accept and embrace with a flippant “It’s who I am.” It’s a sin. It may seem little. But it’s a sin. And it tears down relationships.

We all have “jobs” as siblings. Things we are called to do.

Being annoying is not one of your jobs.

Being bossy is not one of your jobs.

How many things have we come to accept as okay when said to our siblings?

Snapping, yelling, talking harshly is sinning.

Speaking badly about them, tossing them the “you’re so annoying” look, and screaming at Mom to get them away from you is not okay.

Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

The culture has come to accept harsh words as okay, but the God’s Word hasn’t changed. He has called us, His children, to be different. When the world looks at us, they should see Him. What if we could be so radically different that when the world – the non-believer – looks at us, they are compelled to question everything they’ve believed. What if they looked at our lives and fell to their knees in repentance, begging God to grant them what we have.

In a world where “little” sins are accepted, let’s be a generation that refuse to allow any sin in our lives.

James 1:19-20 – Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

If you are an older sibling, don’t accept bossiness as one of your “negative quality traits.” It’s a sin. God has placed you in this position for a reason and he has given you the amazing gift of leadership. Don’t misuse it by raising those eyebrows and casting that look of “you’d better do it.” God gave you an opinion, He gave you a voice. Don’t use it to yell or snap or put your siblings down. God wants to do great things with you. Use your leadership to guide your younger siblings in being helpful. Encourage them gently in their work, don’t yell at them to hurry up. Use your opinion to share ideas graciously. Use your voice to build your siblings up, to love and encourage them. You have a great opportunity to set an example to your younger siblings of what a set-apart life looks like. And if you mess up – cause we all do – apologize, make it right, ask for forgiveness, and remember that God will give you another chance. And He loves to help you do it better.

Ephesians 4:32- Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

As a younger sibling, don’t accept annoyance as your job description. God has placed you a wonderful place to be an encourager and a servant. Love your older siblings, be gracious. Look for opportunities to serve them. You’ll be surprised how much you are blessed when you bless others. And likely, they’ll return the favor. Stop pushing those buttons and you may discover you have a super cool sibling who will make a great friend.

Proverbs 17:17 -A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

We all have moments where something a sibling does just really bugs us. They broke our favorite mug. They knocked our precious plant off the windowsill. They colored all over our books. Or maybe you just had a long day, and they are just getting on your nerves by asking you do to something for them. We all face these moments. Know you will mess up. Sometimes you will snap. Sometimes you will throw that angry look. But know God calls you greater things. God calls you to respond lovingly. And accept that next moment as challenge. Take a deep breath. Pray. Ask God for His strength. Stretch those love muscles.

Psalm 133:1 – How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

As a sibling your job is to love. To forgive. To protect. To give. To share. To encourage.

Beautiful families are families that truly understand their Heavenly Job Description.

Romans 12:10 -Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

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From the pen of an imperfect sibling, seeking to follow Jesus closer each day,

-autumn-

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