Being Responsible

I’ve been thinking a lot about words lately, and this one came to mind: responsible. We know the weight of this word as derived from responsibilities. All the things we have to do. But what does being responsible really mean?

To be responsible is to be able to respond. In order to respond one must first have a grasp of the situation one is responding to. We must be able to discern the powers at play, the people involved, and the work that we are called to do in that given situation. Responding first takes a lot of listening, watching, and praying or meditating.

What happens when we respond without listening? We rush to judgement.

What happens when we respond without watching? We get caught in the crossfire.

What happens when we respond without praying or meditating? We only act upon impulse.

Being able to respond means that we take the time necessary to do the work involved to discern the situation. We don’t rush, get caught, nor rely on impulses. We find ourselves being thoughtful and informed. We find ourselves on the path towards wisdom.