3:125 – Take Responsibility

#faithbites #faithjourney responsibility #MayTheFourth

Yesterday, I explained the saga of no internet at our house. Today, we have it back. When the Metronet person came to fix it, I knew I had a bad feeling about it. (Sorry, had to get in at least one Star Wars Quote today). We went back there and the line was completely sliced. I figured that was what happened because the neighbor was doing work on it. To make matters worse, he was back there, told us he knew he sliced it and didn’t call anyone about it. I was not a happy camper. The technician had some choice words about it.

Here’s the thing, am I mad that he sliced it? Sure. Should he have called J.U.L.I.E before digging? Yes. But what ticked me off was he sliced it and didn’t say anything. No call, no knocking on my door, no calling Metronet, nothing. We all make mistakes and that’s being human. Taking responsibility for our actions is what separates us.

Scripture

• Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
• James 4:17 – So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
• James 5:16 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Reflection

Our verses don’t tell us to be perfect. No where in the Bible does God or Jesus say we must be without sin. We all make mistakes. We are told not to cover our transgressions, and when we do make mistakes to fess up. Not doing the right thing afterwards is the sin. We are in fellowship with our neighbors and should do everything in our power to build those relationships.

Right now, I’m not happy. I am holding a grudge but that too is sinful. I need to confess my sins and let it go. That is my responsibility. Often times, the hardest thing is saying you are sorry, taking responsibility for what happens, and then making amends. Very challenging lesson to learn.

How will you go about taking responsibility for your actions? What will you do to move beyond forgiveness and into amends?

Challenge

Have you wronged someone? Do they know you did? If not, ask for forgiveness. Step forward, no matter how hard, and make amends. It’s not an easy thing to do, but is the right thing to do.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for your forgiveness. Help us to forgive like you. Help us to take it one step further and confess to each other our mistakes. Let us heal wounds that we have caused. When we make mistakes, help us to take responsibility for those no matter how difficult that it. We are all sinner and make bad choices. Help us turn it around, take responsibility, and make the good choice in you. In your heavenly name, Amen.