Incorporating Accountability in Our Daily Lives

by: Keren May B. Busaing

Accountability is a value we often demand from people in position - those with authority such as high-level executives or managers, religious leaders, teachers, politicians and more. While it is true that such is expected from them, let us delve deeper into this value and realize that accountability is a requirement from all of us, regardless of who we are and what position we hold. It doesn’t even matter how many people there are above and below us. We are to be accountable towards each other. 
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From this realization, we are about to understand that accountability, whether in small or visible ways, must become an integral part of our day to day lives. It is a manifestation of the integrity that we are admonished to uphold. Being accountable in small things leads to consistency, which, in the long run, results in us being dependable and trustworthy.

How, then, exactly can we incorporate accountability in our lives? Firstly, we have to see that in every action or decision we take, which is an everyday occurrence, there will always be reactions, effects, and results. A good result with great intentions may fail in the area of accountability depending on the method/s we choose to take. Accountability in this case will require us to be very conscious and aware of everything and everyone that is involved in the accomplishment of our goals. It is a condition where we operate beyond ourselves and consider others. 

Before we move further, let us take a look at why we have to be accountable. Accountability, with all its concepts and ideologies, will ultimately be among what is in question when we stand before God. We have to be accountable with the people he surrounded us with (lest their blood will be on our heads); to the resources entrusted to us; and to the assignment/s He tasked us to accomplish. We have to account for all these things before Him and even before our fellowmen. So yes, accountability is indeed necessary for us to bear in our consciousness and to build within our innermost being. 

Moving forward, let us nurture the value of accountability by making a conscious decision bound in righteousness every time. Let us take action based on sound judgment and readiness to stand before God and before men. Being able to look them in the eye and face the consequences of our actions. Be willing to learn and be corrected while being at peace knowing that we are motivated by love for God and for others. We have to make decisions that we can carry through to the end and take responsibility for every reaction and result it triggers. 

Applying this to our current battle with the Covid 19 pandemic, how was the value of accountability exercised? Let’s take a look at this morning, when we walk out our door, what decisions and precautions have we translated into action, knowing fully well that we will be among other people? Vaccinated or not, how did we exercise accountability? Apart from taking all precautions not to be infected, let us take the notch higher by doing so because we can’t be the carrier to infect others. This is not a campaign to get vaccinated against Covid. This is just a reminder for us to be accountable for whatever decision we choose to take. For the unvaccinated, we have to understand that the risks are higher and we must choose to stand by our decision by exercising all precautions. Same goes with those who are vaccinated, we must exercise the same level of precaution as those who are unvaccinated. We cannot think that it is unnecessary, as this very thought is already a show of failure in the area of accountability. If we cannot do it for ourselves, let us at least do it for the benefit of others. Social distancing? Let’s decide to keep that distance even if no one else is looking. Relaxed protocols? It’s up to us to still exercise what is not being imposed upon us. Again, in everything and in every way, let us decide based on the premise of accountability.