Accountability: Who

Accountability: Who (Audio)

I suspect the biggest problem any of us have is recognizing who we are accountable to. It is more than just the “boss” at the job, the better half of our self, our children, the past, the present and the future.

We are accountable for everything around us, and all that is within our sphere.

Since our worlds are so intertwined with Profits, Shareholders, Customers, Suppliers, and Manufacturers, much, if not all of what we do, MUST take into account the entire Supply Chain or Circle of Life.

In other words, you are never alone in the life you live! You cannot retreat like a hermit and live off the grid (no matter the beck and call to retreat from this maddeningly paced world!) and think you are accountable to no one else. It doesn’t EVER work like this!

It was John Donne who penned the familiar and oft-misunderstood words in the 16 century.

No man is an Island, entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less,
as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were;
any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind;
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.
John Donne, Meditation XVII English clergyman & poet (1572 – 1631)

Again, we are not only accountable to ourselves, we are, and should be, accountable to the whole. If everyone considers life like this then I suspect we would all be the better for the accountability factor that keeps us focused on the success of every person.

Think about the scriptural principle that goes all the way back to Cain and Abel. From the very beginning, humans have been focused on self as the motivator to success. If I am rejected, then I must destroy the person who is accepted, and then maybe I will be the favored one. You know the story. Jealousy, envy, and anger arise to establish dominance simply because the thing you chose to present is not what was obviously asked for or accepted. Cain brought his fruit, Abel brought the firstborn of his flock. Abel’s offering was accepted, Cain’s was rejected. Cain slays Abel his brother.

A conversation between God and Cain ends up with Cain crying out, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) The answer should not be a surprise.

And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.
(Genesis 4:10 NKJV)

Before you jump to a conclusion that says you are Responsible for every action by every person, think again. Every person is responsible for their own actions, however, every person is accountable on how they personally think, act, treat, and respond to every person around them.

Again. Do not jump to conclusions. You cannot help every person around you! But you are accountable on how you think and respond to the general welfare of this planet and its occupants. It’s not just your actions, but also your thoughts. (Proverbs 23:7)

You’ve heard this saying often enough, and it is dated many generations back, and words are changed for the particular audience, but the one that seems to be mentioned the most is this:

“Watch your thoughts, they become words;
watch your words, they become actions;
watch your actions, they become habits;
watch your habits, they become character;
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

FRANK OUTLAW
Late President of the Bi-Lo Stores, (A Texas Newspaper feature in May 1977)

Here is accountability at its core. Everything you Speak (words) come from Thoughts and produce Actions that can easily become Habits and it affects your Character and leads to your Destiny.

Everything we present comes from our core. Our thoughts lead to our destiny. Just ask Yuli Gurriel what his actions did for him in the current World Series. 5 game suspension, money, sensitivity training for his “…public act of intolerance during a baseball game…” (Source)

God help all of us stop exhibiting and acting out on our thoughts. God help all of us have better thoughts! God forgive us for all our past actions and thoughts!

Perhaps the words of Solomon portends a solution that we can easily agree to, and namely, what’s my duty?

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NKJV)