35We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.
These are words that are not spoken too often: “We assume responsibility.” We live in a ‘point the finger at someone else’ world. About the only time someone steps up and assumes the responsibility for something bad is when they have already spent considerable energy and time denying it. Then when they can’t run any longer, when they are completely trapped, then they say the words of responsibility, but it is too late at that point. For once it would be nice for someone in power to just stand up and take responsibility for the mess, rather than pointing at someone else. We wish that would happen with our children, when something gets broken or messed up. We just want them, with the paint on their little faces, to take responsibility for the paint on the walls, floor, furniture, their sibling. Taking responsibility for past actions is wonderful. These people who have signed their names on the dotted line are assuming responsibility for future actions. They are moving from the past to the future. They have repented and received forgiveness for the past. Now they are moving to the future. Are you willing to stand up and assume responsibility for your actions in the future? Are you willing to make that commitment and then follow through? Or are you going to build in wiggle room into your commitment? Assume responsibility for your actions and stop the cycle of blame. It will give you the courage to follow through on your commitments.
The Arnold Journey 