WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...hold me accountable

I was reading about Sequoia trees in a history book. Did you know that Sequoia trees tower hundreds of feet in the air and can withstand intense environmental pressures? Lightening can strike, fierce winds blow and forest fires ablaze all around, but yet, the Sequoia endures it all. It stands firm, only growing stronger through the trials.

One of the secrets to the strength of such a great tree is what lies below. Unlike many trees, the Sequoia reaches out and interlock their roots with other Sequoia trees around them. Each tree is empowered and strengthened by the others.

The secret to the strength of the Sequoia tree is exactly what the Bible tells is the secret for Christians to be strong:

PROVERBS 15:22 "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

We need each other to grow strong. When Christians root themselves in God's ways and interlock their roots with other believers, spiritual growth is bound to happen!

Christian mentors are like this. They allow us to connect with their spiritual strength and wisdom. We all need to have someone who can hold us accountable. In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question, "How do you maintain accountability?" The top 3 answers were:

1. 33% of those voting said that they never allow themselves to be alone with the opposite sex, that is not their spouse or significant other.
2. 22% voted and said that they meet with an accountability partner.
3. 11% responded and said that they have a mentor.

Everyone needs wise counsel throughout life. Wise people constantly seek wisdom and gladly receive it. Fools, however, never ask for it and often ignore it when it is given to them.

ROMANS 14:12 "Each one of us will give an account of himself to God."

This is surely an appointment that none of us can avoid, and each of us will stand before God for the things we have done. In addition to that, I believe we will also be held accountable for the things that we have not done or said. It is our responsibility to build each other up and give wise counsel to those that need it.

I need accountability in my life, like the Sequoia tree, I need my roots to be entangled with other Christians that will pour strength and wisdom into me. How about you?