Encourage One Another to Love and Good Works

I have been pondering some things having to do with accountability. Find people that will speak into your life, not discourage you because of their idea of religious rules.

Yes. I said it.. 

Some people I love have been hurt deeply because of what other people decided was right in their law minded thinking. Some are still reeling. Others have found people who will encourage them to seek God for themselves. Those people are flourishing!!  

I have even spoken things I thought were truth to people and made some mistakes. A LOT of mistakes. 

We all do. 

It is still our job to seek God no matter what others say. We are the ones ultimately responsible for our actions. We are the ones living in situations that need change. We are the ones who are hearing what we are hearing. 

Here is what I decided and have learned over the years: 

• What I feel the Lord telling me is what He is speaking to ME. No one else. 
• I can ask others to pray for me and hold me accountable. 
• Ultimately, I am the one responsible for my obedience to Him. 

When it comes to doing the thing the Lord is calling me to do, I need to be obedient to Him. Not the people around me. I need to follow His leading. It may not look like I picture it will. It may not end up being what I perceive it might be. I won’t know unless I follow Him and find out, right??!! 

In a former church, I saw so many people hurt and wounded by what people believed was right and wrong. Everywhere I go, I find people who have been hurt and wounded by what that one group of people decided. The pain this group of people inflicted on so many bothers me still today, several years after the fact.

I was even a part of it for a time.

I thought I was doing the right thing.

I wasn’t, and they were not. 

I met and still know many people who I would count as dear and close friends from my time there. There was good that did come from my time there. Don’t get me wrong, I have good memories as well.

I am pleased and so excited when I find people who had been wounded there now following God and their purpose. They are flourishing because other people followed the Lord and encouraged them in their journey! 

That is what we need!!   

More than anything in this world today, we need people who encourage others in their journey. For too long we have discredited people because of what they did in the past. We have told people that what they think they need to be doing is wrong because of faulty laws and regulations. Faulty beliefs. Faulty, flawed humans make serious mistakes. 

THAT is why we need accountability. 

We need people who will stand with us and encourage us to do the right things. We need people around us who will encourage us to step out of the boat! Most of all, we need people around us who will help us heal from the pain and wounds of the past. The wounds caused by other people. The wounds caused by those in leadership. Even the wounds we caused by our own poor choices. 

If you have people around you who are not encouraging you, not lifting you up, not helping you grow, then, get a new group of people around you. Find people who can see your gifts and pull them out of you. Find a posse who help you be all God has called you to be! 

Listen- we have lost so many people to abortions and suicides. We can no longer afford to lose more people because what you are called to do isn’t what a good Christian person does!! 

What if you are a woman who is called to speak and preach. 

What if you are supposed to be in political office. 

What if you are supposed to do something amazing and terrifying?!!  

I don’t know what you are being called to do, but find a group of people who know you and can help you grow in what you feel you are called to do!! 

Quick disclaimer: Make sure you have people who will stop you from doing something dumb or dangerous. Those people in your life who encourage you to do illegal activities or things that are just plain dangerous, are not the people you want. 

A good accountability partner is one who encourages you to be a better person. A good group of people are the ones who see the potential in you and pull it out of you! An Excellent group of people to have in your life are the ones who know everything about you. They love you and encourage you to step into the positions God is directing you to take. Despite your past. Despite the the present. 

Good people in your life help you to live a better life. For you, for your family. And especially for your community. 

What is God calling you to? Are you finding people who are helping you fulfill that calling? How can I help you fulfill the call you have? I would love to hear your thoughts!