Accountability

I recently realized about myself that I am (mostly) an extrovert. I love people and talking and group activities. In fact, right now I am alone in my apartment, and apart from writing this, I'm bored! I'm the type who needs (really just wants) nearly constant stimulation.

It makes sense, though. We as humans crave community, we desire relationships with one another and thrive off of communicating with others. Maybe not all of us feel as enthused by a crowded room as I do. Knowing my boyfriend for three years now, I've come to appreciate the moments of solitary in order to decompress- I've HAD to because he is 100% introverted. Regardless, I know he (and other introverts) do have an intimate group of friends and family to share their lives with.

One MASSIVE benefit to having these people in our lives is holding one another accountable (1 Thes 5:11). If you have read my first blog about being surrounded by musicians, you wouldn't be surprised that I NEED my friends to kick me in the butt and tell me to practice. If you speak to my mom or my brother, you'd know that he NEEDS her to kick him in the butt to clean his room (we won't talk about how old he is).Because I am a sinner, I NEED the good people in my life to kick me in the butt, pray with me, and tell me to get it together. And I know that they need the same from me.

Sometimes, that can demand humility from me. Sometimes it means feeling like I've let someone down. Sometimes that's what it takes for me to realize how insanely difficult it is (how hard it has always been) to live out the faith. Forcing myself to admit to a friend my moments of weakness, however, wrenches me out of myself. It causes me to see that I have someone else to rely on. And if it takes a kick in the butt from them, then so be it.

That's how the early Church did it. How many times did Paul have to call out his brothers and sisters on their transgressions? How many times did he (and every pope, bishop, priest, spiritual director ever) have to say "keep the faith." This is why we have The Church. If we could have done any of this on our own, well, what a lonesome time that would be.

That being said, I HIGHLY encourage you to seek out a community of like-minded folks to hold you accountable. If you're in college, check out your Newman Center or FOCUS. If you're in high school, check out Lifeteen or other youth groups. Volunteer with a friend, join a ministry, prayer group, or go on retreat.

"Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one finds a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price, no amount can balance their worth. Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; those who fear God will find them. Those who fear the Lord enjoy stable friendship, for as they are, so will their neighbors be"

Sirach 6: 14-17