My roommate and I stood outside the bathroom, admiring the intense floral aroma of fresh washed clothing. I bought new laundry detergent the other day. Since then, my clothes have been a whole other level of fresh. I have never smelt clothes quite like it. I speculated why it might be so different this time, and then dropped the issue. Then, my roommate broke the news. The new detergent was actually fabric softener. I didn’t grow up using fabric softener. The bottle had a laundry basket on it with a number signifying how many loads it could be used for, along with some unfamiliar Hungarian words. My clothes smelt great, and they went through the laundry, what could be wrong with that?
I wasn’t actually cleaning my clothes, but the result was similar.
I was thankful my roommate pointed out to me that I wasn’t actually washing my clothing.
This situation is a nice metaphor for accountability.
“Where else in my life am I ‘using fabric softener, where I think I’m using laundry detergent?’”
“Who are the people in my life that will point this out to me?”
“Where can I play my roommate’s role from this situation for someone else?”
I challenge you to take 180 seconds to think about this for yourself. Find someone to keep you accountable for who you are working to be. It is best to grow with others.
Matthew 9:10-13 (NIV)
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
The scariest component of accountability is that it is vulnerable. Thankfully, Jesus finds himself surrounded by crowds, fearless about what they've done or who they're trying to be. He calls His followers to do the same. This act is counter culture. It is empowering. It is merciful and full of hope.