Personal Responsibility
August 31, 2009
Dear Friends,
The author Ambrose Bierce, in The Devils’ Dictionary, offered the following definition:
RESPONSIBILITY, n. A detachable burden easily shifted to the shoulders of God, Fate, Fortune, Luck or one’s neighbor. In the days of astrology it was customary to unload it upon a star.Every person I have ever met that I would consider a joyful person was a person who accepted personal responsibility for virtually every aspect of their lives. If they don’t like something about themselves, they work hard to change it. They don’t wait for opportunities to come around; they do their best to make opportunities happen. When they make a mistake, they own up to it and press forward. Conversely, most of the people that I have met that were consistently unhappy were almost always victims of circumstances. They were never responsible for what was going on in their lives but always had an excuse for their “bad luck.”
It is a horrible feeling to think we have no input into our own lives. It sucks the joy and the energy from us. We feel weak and powerless. We are perpetual victims. It is nigh impossible to feel the strength of Bible passages such as “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37 NIV) when we are so weakened and defeated.
Personal responsibility may be one of the greatest blessings given to us by God. Why? In accepting personal responsibility, God gives us the power and ability to help shape our future. It gives us some input into a life that without responsibility will seem out of control and without change, will, in fact, be out of control.
Look at the contrasting examples of Saul and David. They are very similar in several respects. They are both mighty warriors and men of action. Saul, however, was given to depression and also given to excuses. At Gilgal, Saul impetuously offered sacrifices while waiting for Samuel. If you read the account, he had plenty of reasons to do what he did, but none of them good. When Samuel rebukes him, the excuses start flying.
Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering. (1 Sam. 13:11-12)
Saul is so practiced in the art of excuses that he can give us four in one. He excuses are:
- Extenuating circumstances: “men were scattering.”
- Someone else’s fault: “you did not come.”
- I really was doing a good thing: “I have not sought the Lord’s favor”
- I had no choice: “so I felt compelled to offer.”
David, on the other hand, when he is confronted about his sin with Bathsheba offers no excuse at all. He simply says “I have sinned against the LORD.”
People avoid responsibility for their actions because they see it as a sign of weakness. They don’t want to be at fault. However, admitting fault is quite the opposite of weakness, it is a sign of strength. It says “I made a mistake that is avoidable next time.” When we refuse to see our own culpability, we are as much as admitting that we are going to fall into the same mistake again and again because “we couldn’t help it.”
How can we tell if we are lacking in personal responsibility? Here are some tell-tale signs.
- We blame others for our actions. “They made me do it.”
- We see others misbehavior as an excuse for our own. “Well, everyone is doing it.”
- We say we are going to make changes in our life but never do. “I am going to lose weight this year” but then don’t.
- We constantly fail to see how our own actions bring negative circumstances in our life. “Why are you firing me? I was only late six times.”
- We blame our present on our past. “I am like this because my mother didn’t spend enough time with me.”
- We think that life is unfair and has dealt us a series of bad breaks. “I have such bad luck.”
- We have no control over anything. “I had no choice.”
Take control of your life. Experience the power that comes through accepting that you and God control your life (and He is only working for good!).
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.(Proverbs 28:13 ESV)
Have a great week,
