How Are Creativity and Accountability Linked Together?

If someone were to ask, what does it means to be creative, how would you respond? Being creative summons a wide range of possible expressions. Children are judged to be creative who use their imagination to express ideas and those who duplicate other’s achievements.

Another question to ask is what role does accountability play in bringing creativity to fruition? Vincent Van Gough believed his art would become the wave of the future for generations of new artists.

If creativity is to come to fruition it must be bonded to accountability. Remember the man who approached Jesus with the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He was wealthy and religious, yet bored and lost. He needed a special challenge but was unwilling to be accountable to  Jesus’ recommendation. True creativity often requires sacrifice, but God’s abundant benefits more than compensate for what is given up.                                                                                         

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Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 

~Matthew 5:23-24 New International Version 

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Can Strength of Character Save You from Retaliation?

One of life’s most demanding tasks is admitting to and apologizing for wrong and hurtful behavior. What makes it difficult is being perceived as weak and vulnerable. When a transgression has been committed against you, it takes strength of character and maturity not to retaliate.

Loose talk which portrays someone negatively elicits anger, either directly or indirectly. Loose talk is dangerous for those who have hope for a lasting, committed relationship. Listen to Proverbs 15:14: “A wise person is hungry for the truth, while a mocker feeds on trash.”

If you’ve committed a transgression against someone, take the initiative and make amends even if that person’s hurt has turned to anger and hate. Making things right is what Jesus asked you to do. Be of good courage, for the Holy Spirit will enable you to overcome the humiliation you will face. The gifts of yourself and your offerings that you now bring to God will be received and blessed.         

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[Jesus said,] “This is how I want you to conduct yourselves in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.”

~Matthew 5:23-24 The Message

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Do You Care Enough?

When Adam and Eve ventured out in the Garden of Eden beyond the boundaries of God's plan, they automatically feared the worst when He came looking for them. It was then that feelings of uneasiness and dread surfaced. It's interesting how fear and guilt work in tandem against our feelings of security and peace of mind.

We, like Adam and Eve, try to hide and cover ourselves when we’ve betrayed God’s boundaries for us. What Adam and Eve learned is crucial for getting beyond failures and disappointment. God came looking for them to restore fellowship and communication so forgiveness and reconciliation could take place.

Communication can be difficult, but caring enough to communicate should mean sharing responsibility for causing pain and suffering. At this juncture it is possible for restoration to begin. God can change fear and hiding into joy and peaceful companionship when there’s the will to begin the process of making things right with God and others.

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So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.

~Matthew 5:23-24 Contemporary English Version

 

Do not be afraid – I am with you! I am your God – let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.

~Isaiah 41:10 Good News Bible

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An Olive Branch Extended

Occasionally stories surface about a marriage or friendship that’s survived for years without experiencing conflict or turmoil. Differences can provoke anger and the desire to put someone in their place even when it damages that person’s self-esteem. Those experiencing such an attack may retaliate with equally offensive measures.

 

However, some people withdraw and stoically remain unwilling to negotiate an end to a silent war. Yet most people desire resolution and will offer an olive branch indicating a willingness to restore fellowship. Then there are those who desire peace and restoration, but lack courage or the skills to make it happen even when there's an open door for a resolution.

Conflict resolution must include forgiveness so peace and renewal can be achieved. As forgiveness builds the bridge to restoration, excuses for conflict are dismantled. Forgiveness allows compassion to be expressed towards those responsible for the pain and suffering. God will make a way for peace.  

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So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and suddenly remember that a friend has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar and go and apologize and be reconciled to him, and then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

~Matthew 5:23-24 The Living Bible

So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them, and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, “I repent,” you must forgive them.

~Luke 17:3-4 New International Version

Want Forgiveness? Then Forgive...

 Joseph’s brothers needed to be forgiven but would not ask for it until they experienced a severe crisis. Seeking forgiveness for their own cruel behavior did not come easy because they blamed Joseph, citing his pompous attitude as justification. God used circumstances to remind them where they had sinned and failed to be forgiving.

We as individuals have ways of suppressing guilt for failing to honor God’s requirement for forgiveness. We take the easy way out by denying we’re at fault and avoiding whomever we've offended. Yet God consistently gives us opportunities to clear the air. The sad part is we undermine God's purpose and plan for us. “If someone has something against you, go make it right.”

God understands our humanness including our lack of character strengths. What God expects from us is to forgive others, which requires close self-examination of our weaknesses including the tendency to be resistant. We must be vulnerable enough to see ourselves as needing God’s mercy and then to extend that mercy to others.  

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Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

~Colossians 3:13 The Living Bible

“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.”

~Matthew 6:14-15 The Message