Accountability
I think everyone needs accountability, but I generally don’t like it when someone holds me accountable for something I’ve done wrong. The law is actually built in accountability meaning I can’t drive as fast as I want to or I can’t do anything I want to when I want to do it. There are boundaries on everyone – no one is exempt. There are societies and cultures where there seems to be no accountability at all. The Nazi regime in Germany years ago was off the rails and there appeared to be no boundaries. The allies came together to define the boundaries for Hitler and the leaders who aligned with him. That is an extreme version of accountability for sure, but there is accountability in relation to all sorts of secret behaviors that eventually come to light.
Nehemiah had led the people of Judah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and restore the Temple to being used for worship and spiritual growth of the people. Nehemiah had returned to the king of Assyria and then returned to find people had not been following the law of God. Check this out….
10 I also discovered that the Levites had not been given their prescribed portions of food, so they and the singers who were to conduct the worship services had all returned to work their fields. 11 I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, “Why has the Temple of God been neglected?” Then I called all the Levites back again and restored them to their proper duties. 12 And once more all the people of Judah began bringing their tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the Temple storerooms. (Nehemiah 13:10-12 NLT)
I find accountability in relationship with other people who follow the Lord. I listen to podcasts and I read books that shape me and mold me. I also believe there is accountability in reading God’s Word and making application to my heart and my life. I do believe that behavior flows from my heart. So the boundaries I’m working to preserve are heart boundaries so that my behavior translates accordingly.
I need to be humble and willing to be held accountable for my behavior. I’m accountable to the Lord for my thoughts and my actions. I believe accountability is a hourly/daily activity.