Committed to Responsibility

by: Dr. Laurence C. Mascay

In his 90s, former US President Jimmy Carter still teaches adult Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. Carter is the only US president to have taught a Sunday school class while in office and the only former president to continue teaching to this day. Despite doctors finding that melanoma had spread to Carter’s brain after he underwent surgery to remove part of his liver, there is no sign of him backing down from his responsibilities as a Sunday school teacher. Carter said he wanted to stick to his usual responsibilities and routine as much as possible. Regardless of his age and health issues, "he's not planning on quitting anytime soon," says Maranatha Baptist Church Pastor Brandon Patterson. Such is a display of commitment to responsibility.    
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According to Stephen Covey, responsibility is “response-ability” or the ability to choose your response. Highly proactive people do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feelings. Each person has responsibilities that must be carried out within a given period. Failure to fulfill a responsibility is irresponsibility, and the person concerned is marked as irresponsible, which could result in a loss of trust and confidence from those around them. Such stigma remains until they redeem themselves by becoming a responsible person.

Saint Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, states, “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” This passage teaches us that we are all responsible for our work and not our neighbors’. Each of us will be held accountable for our actions or inaction. Additionally, it pleases God when we fulfill our responsibilities out of love. Doing so serves as a form of worship.

The following are practical points of strengths and responsible person: Stop blaming others, admit your mistakes, maintain a positive attitude, take responsibility by acknowledging your weaknesses and strengths, and cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Ultimately, taking responsibility for our actions leads to success. It also enhances our self-esteem and liberates us from negative behaviors such as anger, fear, bitterness, resentment, and uncertainty. Therefore, be committed to responsibility.