What (or who) keeps you accountable?
People keep asking me why I’m doing this ride. I’m finding that my internal answer is evolving as the journey begins.
It’s true that this project fulfills a personal dream, that we’re having a lot of fun, that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. I’m grateful for all that, but the blogs and the fund-raising and the sharing of a dream are bigger than checking an item off my personal bucket list.
This journey is at least partly about being accountable.
God’s blessed me richly, in ways I couldn’t have imagined. But Genesis 12:2 affirms a basic Biblical principle. We’re not blessed simply so we can enjoy God’s generosity; we’re blessed so we can be a blessing to others.
Last night I was stuffing myself with the calories I’ll need to maintain energy and health as I ride. I was struck by the juxtaposition of conflicting images.
I’m eating a lot so I can do a ride to help feed children who have literally nothing to eat.
Does that seem odd to you?
I found myself thinking about a scripture from Matthew 25.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
This isn’t about guilt. I don’t think Jesus wants me to do anything—ever—out of guilt. I believe He wants me to enjoy the blessings He’s given so freely.
But … it IS about being accountable. Those hungry kids aren’t just faceless strangers is some far-off country. Jesus put His own face on every one of them.
The notion that those who are hungry or hopeless bear Jesus’ face helps me remember that I’m accountable for how I share the blessings I’ve received.
How do you stay accountable? Does “accountability” ever slide into “feeling guilty” for you?
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