Every February is an exciting time for me, but this February has been especially wonderful.  Not only has it been a time of many "firsts" with my loving family, it has also been a time to reflect upon the love of and for my people.  February, which has been coined "Black History Month", has provided me the opportunity to celebrate the legacy of people of African descent, the fortitude of my ancestors and the continued strength and courage of those who share my heritage.  

While on the heels of a month which highlighted the traditions and achievements of African Americans, and the head of a month that considers the experiences of women, I am challenged to consider the next steps in the trek towards "oneness" in the context of their experiences.  Of significance to me is the fact that both of these populations (people of African descent and women) have been oppressed and disenfranchised during some point in history.  Some would argue that many people in those subsets continue to be discriminated against even today. Despite the torture which they endured that has resulted in fragmented individuals, families, groups and communities, I admire the fact that members of both groups have assessed their past, present and future, and have continued to take responsibility for the direction of the people.  We see evidence of this empowerment by the number of African Americans and women who have become entrepreneurs, entertainers, educators, brand-makers, civic leaders and government officials.

In many ways, African Americans and women remind me of the life of Jesus who took responsibility for the future of His people, despite the hardships.   When faced with the option to bow out graciously, Jesus took on the responsibility to care for his people. Related to this concept of "taking responsibility" is accountability, which I would surmise is the next step toward oneness. 

Jesus demonstrated accountability in many ways.  Overall, He took responsibility for the gifts that God had given him. How?  First, it seems that he recognized that those who were in his immediate sphere of influence were from God, and that he had a significant role to play in their well-being. He took spiritual and physical responsibility for them.   Even when He knew that he was transitioning to be with God, He still advocated on their behalf through prayer.  But, He didn't just pray.  It seems like He begged God to look out for His people, even while He was with (and yet not with) them.  He used the medium of conversation with God to show that he took His leadership role seriously. He took responsibility for them.  That's accountability.

How many of us have taken the responsibility of caring for the most precious gift from God (of our family) so seriously that we have begged God to keep them while we were with and yet not with them?  How many parents have begged God to watch over their son or daughter while they were in school?  How many spouses have fasted over the well-being of their other half while he or she was away?  How many of us have stood in the gap for someone else in our sphere of influence like Jesus did for his disciples during this prayer in John 17:6-11?  If we haven't, I suggest that we begin demonstrating accountability by showing God that we appreciate the gift of family occurs when we pray sincerely for them.

Now, while we are praying, we must be careful of what we pray for. Notice that Jesus could have prayed for anything for His family members.  He could have asked for riches and greatness in the world.  He could have asked for prosperity and things.  He could have asked for power and position; yet He did not.  He asked God to keep them, that they may live a life of "oneness"- a life of unity, peace and fulfillment. We must pray in the same vain as Christ did.

The prayer (John 17:6-11) also reveals that Jesus did more than "talk" a good spiritual game.  He demonstrated accountability and an appreciation for God's gift in a practical way.  He gave them what was needed.  He was an example to them, and evidence of his effectiveness was that they demonstrated that they'd learned the lessons.

This is a powerful lesson for us as well, as we think about being "one" in our families. Some of us "talk" a good game, but we don't live the life that we talk about.  We come to worship on Sabbath, but raise hell every other day of the week.  And then we expect our children to bring us glory and to not shame the family name.  Sorry to tell you this, but children, most times, do as they see and not as they hear.  One person said that "Children close their ears to advice that they hear, but they keep their eyes open to the example that they see."  What example are we showing our children?  Are we demonstrating generosity or selfishness?  Are we putting our Sabbath School lessons to practical use by showing love, joy, peace, patience, long-suffering and other fruits, or are we saying one thing and doing another?  Are we consistently taking responsibility and accountability for our families by being the auntie, uncle, husband, wife, father, mother, sister, brother or mentor that Jesus demonstrated or are we shirking our responsibility by saying one thing and doing another?

Let's look deeply at ourselves and take responsibility for the gifts that God has given us. How do we do that?  Well it's pretty simple.  Let's live lives of accountability.  Let's demonstrate an understanding of responsibility.  The words of an anonymous writer "makes it plain" for us.

"Whatever you  start - finish.  Whatever you say that you love - show.  Whatever you earn - share.  Whatever you cherish - save.  Whenever you fall - get up.  Whatever you have - be grateful.  And whatever you do - do it with enthusiasm, integrity and excellence."  Live on purpose, taking spiritual and physical responsibility for the gifts that God has given you.  That is called "accountability".

In addition to assessment and accountability, there is one more key to living a fulfilled life that I will share in the next blog.  Until then, live purposefully.

Loving through listening,

Kesslyn