Responsibility in Life and Ministry

This note came from my friend Patti, who received it from her sister Cheri. I think it's pretty good: let me know what you think.

The difference of feeling responsible for people
And feeling responsible to people.

When I feel responsible for people...
I risk being a Bible-thumping, code-enforcing, brow-beating person of people.
I risk adopting a callous cynical view of people and God at times.

When I feel responsible to people...I realize they have a choice.
When I feel responsible for people...I want to make decisions for them.

When I feel responsible to people...They have to figure out their next step.
When I feel responsible for people...I want to tell them what that next step is.

When I feel responsible to people...I allow them to bear the brunt of consequences for their own chosen actions.
When I feel responsible for people...I tend to assume guilt, even shame, for the decisions they make.

When I feel responsible to people...I engage their journey, offering encouragement, instruction, support.
When I feel responsible for people...I try to control their journey.

When I feel responsible to people...I talk to God a lot on their behalf.
When I feel responsible for people...I talk to people a lot on God's behalf.