"And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving except you only." Philippians 4:15
I have to admit it today. For those of you who would hold me accountable, I admit to having fallen short in my attempts to blog on a daily or even regular basis. I ask your forgiveness for that, and pray that you haven't missed my muddled thoughts too much.
When we think of the word accountability, we often think of holding someone's feet to the fire when they fail. Or, we think of being that one who has to harrass them along the way to make sure that they finish what they start. While there are places for that in accountability, I also believe that there is something that we often find missing.
How do praise and accountability go together? In some ways, it should be a no brainer. When someone completes what we were holding them accountable for, we should be quick to praise them. If we hold off on that, then there is no cause to celebrate, and perhaps means that, the next time, the person may not have as great of motivation to follow through all the way.
I would even suggest that praise should play a greater role in accountability overall. As we see one another making progress, or even in simply growing in whatever it may be for which we are accountable, we benefit greatly from praise for that progress. It is a celebration of movement, from one place to another. It is a reassurement that there is engagement on your part toward them. And, it also provides for an opportunity to grow together in relationship.
We often think of accountability as being the driver behind the person, the reminder when they need to do something, the kick in the pants, so to speak. But I would also suggest that a part of accountability means that we announce the praise of achievement. It's great even when we let the other one know what we will do to celebrate their accomplishment. That may give them that extra bit of motivation that a kick in the pants wouldn't bring.
Jesus has painted a picture of the great wedding feast that lies ahead for all who put their hope and trust in what He has done. That praiseworthy picture of our end also encourages us to live as one who is going to be joined to this groom! We want to be worthy of His attention and devotion, even though He tells us that it's unnecessary on our part. But we see the end result, and we want to be found in that praise, and so we pattern our lives according to our Groom and Master.
As you hold others accountable, what are some ways that you can incorporate praise into that? I would even say that, the more you do that, the less you might have to be the kick in the pants!
I have to admit it today. For those of you who would hold me accountable, I admit to having fallen short in my attempts to blog on a daily or even regular basis. I ask your forgiveness for that, and pray that you haven't missed my muddled thoughts too much.
When we think of the word accountability, we often think of holding someone's feet to the fire when they fail. Or, we think of being that one who has to harrass them along the way to make sure that they finish what they start. While there are places for that in accountability, I also believe that there is something that we often find missing.
How do praise and accountability go together? In some ways, it should be a no brainer. When someone completes what we were holding them accountable for, we should be quick to praise them. If we hold off on that, then there is no cause to celebrate, and perhaps means that, the next time, the person may not have as great of motivation to follow through all the way.
I would even suggest that praise should play a greater role in accountability overall. As we see one another making progress, or even in simply growing in whatever it may be for which we are accountable, we benefit greatly from praise for that progress. It is a celebration of movement, from one place to another. It is a reassurement that there is engagement on your part toward them. And, it also provides for an opportunity to grow together in relationship.
We often think of accountability as being the driver behind the person, the reminder when they need to do something, the kick in the pants, so to speak. But I would also suggest that a part of accountability means that we announce the praise of achievement. It's great even when we let the other one know what we will do to celebrate their accomplishment. That may give them that extra bit of motivation that a kick in the pants wouldn't bring.
Jesus has painted a picture of the great wedding feast that lies ahead for all who put their hope and trust in what He has done. That praiseworthy picture of our end also encourages us to live as one who is going to be joined to this groom! We want to be worthy of His attention and devotion, even though He tells us that it's unnecessary on our part. But we see the end result, and we want to be found in that praise, and so we pattern our lives according to our Groom and Master.
As you hold others accountable, what are some ways that you can incorporate praise into that? I would even say that, the more you do that, the less you might have to be the kick in the pants!
No comments:
Post a Comment