As a writer, accountability has been on my mind in recent days. I’ve been in community with other writers and we set goals for ourselves. At the end of our weekly meetings, we each state our goals. At the next meeting, we share if we were able to hit the target.
Opinions Can Help
In life, maybe in writing as well, it is so easy to get sidetracked. The truth is, most often I’m sure I’m right; and as I head out to obtain my goal like a hound dog following a scent. I need someone to say, “Whoa, wait a minute. Are you sure you want to chase that rabbit?”
“Have you thought this through?”
I can believe with all my heart that I’m doing what God wants. But sometimes my whole-hearted determination to produce may dull my hearing to where I don’t hear the Holy Spirit say, “You’re on the wrong track. Consider this.”
Our Church Family can be our first accountability community.
Accountability is vital in every facet of life. It’s good to have a group of like-minded believers for guidance, and where better than in a church? (Or perhaps a cell group, or life group, or a community of people focused on the same thing.) I need my Pastor, my teachers, my leaders, even the little old ladies sitting in the pews, to gently drop some words of wisdom in my spirit from time to time. It’s valuable to hear what God says from someone other than my own perspective.
[My 5 minutes of free writing are up!]
Lone Rangers need Tontos
In the end, I believe having a caring group of people interested in your journey can make a difference. After all, how we spend our journey equals the sum of our life. Do we spend it as a Lone Ranger? Or do we enjoy the wisdom and camaraderie of companions?
I vote for community.
This post was written in response to the prompt, “accountability” at Five Minute Friday, a community where writers gather to free-write for 5 minutes on a prompt.
I’m also linking to the communities at Grace & Truth, Inspire Me Monday, Remember Me Monday Tell His Story, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let’s Have Coffee, Recharge Wednesday
I’ve been a rabbit chaser – and sometimes I still do – but I am thankful for those who know me well enough, care well enough to be a sounding board without condescension and judgementalism to talk with me across the kitchen counter and shepherd me away from those rabbit holes.
So true, Maryleigh! We need those accountability partners to speak the truth with love and wisdom. When we find those people, it is a rare gift indeed! Thanks for dropping by!
With Covid and being immune-compromised, I have been a Lone Range for a while now. Yes, I have a few Tontos from my prayer group who come over for a porch sit/talk and a few phone calls and texts from my pastor and others. So I have community, but it is not the same as being in community worshipping the Lord. I like my Tontos and will seek them in my big move where I have family. I will be in fellowship with one who does know the Lord. God will give me more.
Praying for you, Linda, as you move and locate a home church community. I’m praying He will bless you with an active and involved church family with whom you can join forces. Together, we are stronger!
Thanks for dropping by!
It’s definitely much better in community than alone! We can encourage one another and spur one another on whether that’s in writing, in our faith or in some other area.
Hey, Lesley! Good to see you.
Yes, we make each other better!
Yay for this! I’ve been concentrating on Community this month especially. I really need my people. 🙂 They have been so helpful to me especially this past year.
I am so thankful for my community of people. How do people make it without a group of people praying for them and lifting them up?
Good to see you, Lisa!
Community is VITAL for the Christ follower……and then we are built up and encouraged by our fellow Believers, we can then go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus more effectively. I can’t do life without the prayer support of my Christian community. great post, Jerralea!
I so agree, Faith. If you can’t find a church home where you fit in, there are bible study groups or home cell groups. Or maybe you’re called to start your own, but it’s imperative we all find a group to do life with.
Thanks for dropping by!
It is important to have community and also to know the community is healthy, godly, and wise. During this time we are in, my community has become smaller but I am grateful for those I have around me.
Joanne, it’s true sometimes our community becomes smaller. I take comfort in the promise the Lord gave – that if 2 or 3 gather in His name, He’s there, too.
Thanks for visiting!