Accountability Partners
By Susan Klein
“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and
are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to
refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body…”
2 Peter 1:12-13 (NIV)
Recently, I asked
someone to hold me accountable for some things I knew I needed to put into
practice, but was struggling to do on my own. This was challenging for a couple
of reasons.
First, it’s not always
easy to find someone with whom you feel close enough to entrust private things
about yourself. Typically, we don’t share our deepest secrets and struggles
with just anyone. We need to choose someone with whom we feel comfortable and close
to, someone we trust deeply.
Secondly, it is sometimes
even more difficult to find someone willing to actually hold you accountable!
Even the most well-intentioned of friends would rather bestow words of
encouragement upon us rather than to call us to task on something, or to check
in and see if we are doing what we need to do. Being an accountability partner
requires initiating (sometimes hard) questions that will hold the other
responsible for their actions. This can be daunting for some, feeling too much
like a confrontation.
I believe the
Apostle Peter was a compassionate accountability partner to those who were
struggling in their faith walk. And he wasn’t afraid to initiate, according to
the above verses. He boldly but lovingly reminded the believers of the things
they knew to be true, and held them accountable - - likely so they would not
fall into wrong ways and thinking as they seemed to have already done. He even
stated that he planned to continue to remind them of these things as long as he
was alive. Wow! What a blessing he was choosing to be! It really speaks of his
love for them.
Life is challenging,
and we all have our own personal struggles. Sometimes we can really benefit from
a little accountability. Perhaps you know someone who regularly attends Bible
studies to keep them accountable for being in God’s Word consistently. Maybe
you’ve asked someone to hold you accountable to memorize a passage of Scripture,
or to lose a few pounds, or to break a bad habit. Have they done what you
asked?
Like Peter, let’s
not be afraid to offer accountability to others, as well. They will surely feel
blessed and loved. I know I do right
now, having my dear friend holding me accountable!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Are there areas you might benefit
from some personal accountability? Are you willing to ask for it?
2. Are you willing to help someone
else if asked?
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is married to Mark and
co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is
a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.
