319 – Responsibility for Your Actions – Good and Bad

#faithbites #faithjourney responsibility

About two to three inches of pearly white snow covered central Illinois this morning. It is beautiful unless you have to travel, shovel, or go anywhere. A perfect day to stay home, sit by the fire, drink hot chocolate, and rest. But alas, this was not in the cards me today. I went to work as it is part of my responsibility as a grownup.

As I was driviing to work, I saw a car in the median on the highway. I kept driving and thought it wasn’t my responsibility to call someone. The guy looked ok inside. Someone else would call it in and get help. But then I rememebered it is all of our responsiblity to help our neighbors. I called the county sherrif and let them know the information. About 20 minutes later, the same thing. I called and reported what had happened. I thought how would I feel if I was the person off the road and needed help.

Finally, I got into town, almost to work. The roads weren’t great, and I was driving pretty well. A guy started to change lanes into me, I honked the horn and he kept coming. I swerved off the road, hopped a curb or two and nearly slammed into a light post.  The car seemed ok until I saw the tire pressure light on. I got out and the other car kept going, rushing past everyone. My tire was flat as can be. So I sat on the side of the road, a few minutes from work, and stuck. $215 and 4 hours later, I was back on the road. Why didn’t the person even think to stop? Isn’t that their responsibility?

Scripture

• Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. – Proverbs 28:13
• And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. – Luke 6:31
• So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. – Romans 14:12

Reflection

Sure, I was upset at the guy for not stopping and seeing if I was ok. I am very blessed that it was only a tire and no one else got hurt. Things can be replaced, people can’t. I was also upset at myself that it took me a few minutes (maybe seconds) to call the sheriff for the first car of the road. I don’t want to be in the presence of God and have to justify why I hesitated. (Romans).  It is my responsibility to look out for others as it is theirs to look out for me and mine. In Luke, we see, do onto others as you ‘d have them do to you.

Once I was in a ditch with my daughter and hoped for help. I ended up calling and was ok. I hope that those two stranded motorists were happy when the sheriff/state police came today because of what I did. Not one car stopped or anyone calls to make sure I was ok. Do I hold that against them? No. It is our duty to educate and help others understand what God calls us to do.

Charge

Do you look out for others? Have you called the police or provided help when others needed help? Do you know that as part of God’s family, we have a responsibility to each other? Find ways that you can show your responsibility to look out for others in your daily life.

Lord, help me to know when I should help others. Help me to be ready to give the help and accept the help when needed. I know we are all responsible for your family here on earth. Give us your strength to be that family.