In the last several posts I have stressed things I have learned along the way. I want you to understand the motive behind what I am writing because I believe that every person should be a learner all of his or her life. To resist, or refuse, to learn means that we don’t think we need to increase in knowledge. Or even worse, we don’t think we need more wisdom (which is a telltale sign that we may have none to begin with!). So, let’s get on with it…

I am just beginning to read a new book for me. It is 12 Rules For Life: An Antidote to Chaos, by Jordan Peterson. Having just begun reading this, I am still in the first chapter. But I am struck by the thoughts expressed in the Forward by Dr. Norman Doidge. If the Forward is any indication of the rest of the book, this will be a slow, thoughtful and time-consuming book to read. The thing that grabbed my attention from Dr. Doidge is a simple, yet today too often overlooked, truth that every person MUST take responsibility for themselves.

In truth your reaction to this might depend on your age. I am over 70 and was raised with this understanding. Hence, this is another truth that I have learned along the way. Not only did my parents and grandparents reinforce this to me, but I was taught this in school, from first grade through college and seminary. Sadly, this has not been the case for too many young people in our day. Relativism has seeped into our culture and far too many men and women want to set their own rules for living, which by and large, means that they want no rules at all. The end result in society is chaos.

As I have often said, my favorite word, especially in teaching and counseling settings, is choice. We are the sum total of our choices. If I could break down every barrier and sink this into every mind and heart we would find ourselves in a society filled with responsible and, dare I say, mature people. When we take responsibility for ourselves we will not blame others for situations such as:

• “I don’t believe in God because of the way I have seen so-called Christians behave”
• “I can ignore the laws because I am a victim of white-supremacy.”
• “I should not be given a speeding ticket because others are going just as fast as I have been.”
• “I have the right to keep this library book because I pay taxes.”

Simple illustrations but you get the point. These individuals are not taking responsibility for themselves. They are living according to relativistic standards, setting their own rules, or lack thereof. Don’t base your willingness to love others on how much they love you. Don’t assume your obedience of the law should be based on how much others are obeying the law. Most importantly, don’t give in to the idea that you can live out a weak, or nonexistent, faith in God because you see the failures of others. Your faith in God is YOUR FAITH. No one else’s. Every individual is responsible for himself or herself. When we stand before God, He will not be interested in hearing, “I would have been better, but did you see how John lived?”

Things I have learned along the way? I do not have the freedom to lay the blame, or responsibility, for my choices on someone else who failed in theirs.

Take this to heart.

Chuck Phillips

Life Choices Christian Counseling,LLC

Licensed Christian Pastoral Counselor, N.C.C.A.

Board Certified Professional Life Coach, I.B.C.C.

LifeChoicesCLC.Com LifeChoicesCLC@gmail.com

573-280-5093