Monday Morning Manna: Responsible for Your Own Load

I just spent a great two-days at my college Homecoming. Most conversations began with “Do you remember . . .” One fascinating discussion centered around the great discoveries made during our freshman year. It set me to reflecting on many great discoveries of my freshman year. The first great discovery and perhaps my greatest, happened about one week after my arrival. I opened the drawer in my dorm room only to discover no clean underwear. That had never happened to me before. Later that day, I had to walk approximately one mile to the nearest washateria carrying my load of dirty clothes. The discovery had to do with personal responsibility. American author and motivational speaker, Wayne Dyer said, “Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make. Period.” While there are always things others will do for you (in this case my mother always providing me with clean underwear), there are those things for which you, yourself must be responsible. The Apostle Paul said as much when he wrote, “Each one shall bear his own load” (Galatians 6:5).

Dr. Dan Crawford, Senior Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, is the WestCoast Baptist Association’s Spiritual Life & Leadership Mentor. Follow Dan on Twitter @DrDanRC and Facebook www.facebook.com/dan.crawford.