Walk Worthy

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Everywhere we turn fitness is all the rage. And the newest twist on the trend—keeping track of our personal fitness.

               

We’re wearing jewelry that tracks our steps, our heart rate, and even how many stairs we climb. Beyond that, it reminds us when we need to exercise or at least get up and move.

Thinking about all this accountability has turned my mind to spiritual accountability. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we had something to track our spiritual walk?

Can you imagine how helpful it would be if, when we slacked off on spiritual fitness and discipline, there was something that would tell us it was time to get back on track?

Truthfully we do—the Holy Spirit.

He’s always with us—to teach us, interpret Scripture and circumstances, and remind us when we get off track. But He’s the ultimate gentleman. He doesn’t force us back on the path, and if we ignore Him often enough, He’ll just be quiet.

Beyond that important personal of the Trinity who lives inside us, are those fellow believers that surround us. Scripture encourages us to be accountable to one another. But we so often ignore that admonition. It’s scary to be honest enough with someone else to enter into an accountability relationship.

Here is the way I manage accountability in my life:

1. Personally, I have an accountability partner. She’s a dear friend who loves me in spite of my faults. I don’t feel judged by her—even when she reminds me that it’s time to get back on track. It’s a precious relationship and one that I guard and take care to nurture.

2. I also have an accountability group. We began as a few women from my Sunday school class, but it’s grown beyond that. We meet every Friday morning at a local coffee shop. We share cares, concerns, and prayers. Those in the group encourage one another, pray for one another, and go after members of the group who have slacked off. We don’t hound each other, but we remind our fellow sisters that we are loved, we are blessed, and we have a responsibility to stay strong in our walk.

3. Finally, as a Christian who writes, I have an accountability group of fellow writers. These women are my lifeline. The help me remember the gift of words that God has given me, and that along with that gift, comes the responsibility to grow and practice that gift.

Accountability is good thing to stay physically healthy. It’s even more important to have the same sort of accountability to stay in shape spiritually.

So that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10 (HCSB)