Accountability that comes with following Christ

By Julie Mad-Bondo

Of the many absolutes in our faith that often keep me awake at night, one stands above the rest: as a follower of Christ, I will one day give an account for how I used my life to serve the Lord.

A friend of mine was once reading a deeply convicting book on missions to her husband. In the middle of a sentence, he stopped her and said he did not want to hear anymore because he did not want to be held accountable for what he was hearing.

That conversation has stayed with me.

How many times have I heard or read about a need to which I could have responded—yet chose instead to close the book, scroll to the next video, and move on with my day? How often do we protect our comfort by avoiding what might require something from us?

When the Holy Spirit began his work in my heart through this ministry, we continued sponsoring children, but eventually the Lord began leading us beyond sponsorship alone. We could no longer ignore the cries of little girls trapped in horrific abuse.

WE CAN BE THEIR VOICE

Seeing the need brought responsibility. Once we knew, we had to decide whether we would look away or allow God to interrupt our lives by leading the JHC team into potentially dangerous situations—and at times, putting our reputation on the line for the freedom of boys and girls.

I am shamelessly asking you to remember these little boys and girls in your prayers—children carrying circumstances and burdens far beyond what their small hearts, minds, and bodies were ever meant to bear.

Honestly, I have considered closing this ministry more times than I can remember. But what keeps me going, what gets me up each morning, is the plight of these children who have no voice to speak for themselves and no strength to fight back.

However, they have you and me.

Together, we can be a voice for these boys and girls. We can be strength for these vulnerable little ones. We can provide an oasis, a safe place to sleep at night without the fear of the unimaginable.

And perhaps that is part of the accountability that comes with following Christ. Not simply hearing about suffering, but also allowing what we hear to move us toward obedience, compassion, and action while there is still time.