Accountability

This weekend at DNOW I emphasized accountability a number of times. I don't think they really understand how important it is (or at least I think so) and much of a difference it can make. I told them how in just the past month how life changing it has been for me and realizing you're not alone in your struggles. Having someone to confess to and pray for me and likewise for me to pray for. Someone who can encourage you but who will also call you out and straight up say you've been spiritually lazy. It might sound harsh but if it's the truth there's no denying it, and it was the truth and I needed to be told it. Since being told that I have gotten back into reading my Bible. I, especially those first few days after, truly desired to read more, to spend time with God. I don't know if I've ever felt that before. I'd be in the middle of something and I'd get the strongest urge to go hang with God, to go read my Bible. A desire so great that I had not before experienced. Sadly now that desire has already waned a little. I pray I get it back. I pray it is always my desire to hunger and to thirst for more of Him, always.

Even worshiping has changed for me now. I'm singing and there's like this new praise and thankfulness. Joy. I don't leave worship feeling depressed. I leave feeling renewed. God is good. God is Great!

I have a new joy now, just in life in general.

No matter what it is you might be struggling with, confessing it to someone, I truly feel is the best thing you can do. If I fall back into old habits or sins there is someone I have to tell. There's that little voice in my head that says you wouldn't have to tell them they'd never know, you could lie. But no I can't lie. I honestly believe I wouldn't be able to. I would have to confess. I'd be letting myself down. I'd be letting them down. I'd be letting God down.

I've gone to two people. I don't know if either of them could really be considered accountability partners in its fullest sense. Yes, I have confessed to them and they to me. I pray for them. They have prayed for me. However, there's a little more to accountability than that. You need (I need) someone asking the tough questions and asking so what did you read in your Bible this week? What are you memorizing? Have you been praying? What is god teaching you? What is God doing in your life? But nonetheless it is a step forward in the right direction.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.