TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

A beloved Amish proverb should be our daily summons to practice personal compassion, integrity, responsibility and accountability.  It simply says, “Instead of putting others in their place, put yourself in their place.” 

How easy it is to get caught up in the blame game!  Wouldn’t you agree?  However, finger-pointing is never a polite, comely, or healthy practice.  My Dad often reminded us: “Whenever you point your index finger to condemn others, there are three fingers pointing back at you and one pointing upward to God.”

Life experiences teach us that other people are indeed capable of causing pain, pressure, or problems.  Nevertheless, I want to share a practical solution, one that might at first glance seem cynical, but represents a more realistic response to the perceived offenses of others.  When you ‘feel’ a certain way about something that someone else has done, silently ask yourself this question: “SO WHAT?”  After all, when we net it all out, there are relatively few things people can do that will have a lifelong impact on us – unless WE allow it to be so.  Therefore, any decision to repeatedly rehearse the offenses of others, i.e. to hold tenaciously to anger, resentment, or an unforgiving spirit, is much more detrimental to ourselves than it is to others.

So why not take personal responsibility?  IT’S THE HEALTHY CHOICE.  Frequently, I pray to the Lord, asking Him to reveal my own flaws, errors, inconsistencies, or misperceptions.  Thus, I am enabled to SEE MYSELF more clearly and to move on with my life – while recognizing that someone else might have acted in a manner that is personally damaging or deceitful.

Bottom-line: My Savior and I will always decide on the tone and tenor of my day, never surrendering that authority to others.

This personal choice informs and instructs me.

This personal choice motivates and mobilizes me.

This personal choice favors and frees me to continue the marvelous journey which The Creator has designed – with personal purity, with passionate power and with authentic love.

Bottom-line: Each of us is responsible for our own attitudes and actions.  So, as we arrive at challenging moments or decision-points, we will wisely choose to pursue brotherhood, sisterhood, understanding and peace.  We will choose to walk a mile in the shoes of others.  We will choose to forgive.  We will choose to love. 

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!