“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
We need each other. Life cannot be lived to the fullest without one another. We cannot fulfill our destinies alone, but together we can reach our goals and accomplish our dreams.
Recently my husband was out of town on a business trip. I planned fun activities with both of my kids as well as a girlfriend. In the evening though, I got sidetracked and instead of completing my normal responsibilities I chose to play hooky. Instead of doing the dishes, I climbed in bed and watch a tv show. Instead of filling my mind with an inspiring novel, I was mindlessly entertained. Instead of going to bed early so I could wake up early to write, I stayed up later than usual and lost sleep. The ripple effects of wrong choices can have devastating results. I realized how much I need my husband to encourage my habits of discipline. I have to have accountability in my life.
Accountability is “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions.” If I don’t choose to submit my life to another’s by being held accountable, I won’t grow and mature. Accountability though, only works if I want it. It won’t work if it’s forced upon me by someone with good intentions.
Even highly disciplined people need accountability. It’s too easy to hide and cover up our sin if we don’t have accountability systems in place with family or friends. Beware of those who are unaccountable and only play by their own rules.
My prayer group and those closest to me are ones I trust and therefore yield myself to. I sincerely hope if they see sin in my life or witness me going down a wrong path or I’m blinded because of an unhealed hurt, they will step in and gently correct me. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” I want people to “speak the truth in love” so I can “in all things grow up into Him.” (Ephesians 4:15) I desire those who believe the best about me to ask me the tough questions.
Who in your life do you care enough about to ask the hard questions? Hebrews 10:24 urges us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Who do you need to encourage to choose godliness for their daily life?
What God-given dreams are you pursuing? Who do you need to come alongside of you to help fulfill it? Who will you choose to submit to and be held accountable? Choose those who are trustworthy and love you. Then watch yourself flourish as you grow up in Christ.
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.”
Thomas Paine
Relevant Reflections:
1. Who are your accountability partners and how do they sharpen you?
2. Is there someone you need to speak the truth in love to encourage their spiritual growth?