Accountability...take the mask off!


By Erik Farstad

March 25, 1998


"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." Luke 15:7

Why do you think people struggle with accountability? Perhaps because people don’t want to take responsibility if things go bad, or at least not the way they had hoped? Sure, that’s why most people would rather follow someone else instead of making up their own minds. If you follow someone else, then you are sitting pretty to claim the good. Yet if things go sour, you can just say that ‘they’ made a bad decision. Either way you can walk away not really claiming any ownership of decisions. You can claim or blame.

This claiming and blaming simple put, is taking when you like it or throwing it away if you don’t. A life lived like this will lead to someone feeling inadequate, wondering who they are, what they believe in and where they stand. Do you know of anyone that fits this description? Is this you?

It’s time for change. Time for ownership, time for accountability and time for responsibility! How does this begin and where do you start? I firmly believe accountability must first begin in Heaven! If you don’t think you have to be accountable to God, why on earth would you think you need to be accountable to people? Come before God prayerfully, asking Him to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him to give you the strength to make decisions and stand behind them, whatever happens! Remember God rejoices in the one who takes responsibility, by acknowledging and repenting of sin, but is saddened by the many that think of themselves as too righteous.

So how does this accountability with God affect your relationship with people? When you come to the point in your life when you can say, "I’m human...I’m not perfect...I sin...I have faults...you’re ready." God wants to hear these words first, but then it’s time to share them with your fellow brothers and sisters. If you desire accountability, you must be the example of it!!! If you want frank honesty, you must be the example of frank honesty!!! See a trend forming? By practicing your accountability with God on a daily basis, He will give you the strength to do the same here on earth.

People want to see and feel that they are not alone. If you share with your friends your struggles, you will be an example of openness and honesty. Soon your friends will open up to you also. This takes time and commitment. Yes, it’s scary to stand in a glass house and have people looking in, but it’s better than being in the dark thinking you’re alone.

Are you afraid of accountability, afraid that people may find out who you really are? Well I say it’s time to take off the mask. The light may hurt your eyes at first, but the beauty you see afterwards will be worth it!

Take some time in prayer with God. Then go to your friend, spouse, whoever and share your life. They need to hear from you as much as you need to hear from them.

In Him, "E"