You've heard the mind is a terrible thing to waste. I think it's also a twisty place to pace. Left alone with our own thoughts our natural inclination is to gravitate toward sin. This is one reason why God has built us for community. He knows we need each other.

Do you have one friend you deeply trust? One person you can confide in about your weaknesses or insecurities? That's all it takes - finding one person who is willing to pace with you until you travel to smoother ground.

Albert Einstein once said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Maybe you've tried to stop gossiping or you've vowed never to tell another lie, but then it came all too easy to pass along that "innocent" news you overheard in the girl's bathroom...and you weren't exactly lying when you answered your mother that way in the car after soccer practice.

It's tempting to become dependent on routine behavior that at times leads us astray from the course God wants us to remain on. We need accountability. We need to admit that when left to our own thoughts and our own determination, we are fallible and wishy-washy at best.

A good friend can lovingly guide us back on the path, pointing out the sharp rocks along the way. There are times when our close friend may even need to hoist us on their back and carry us. Establishing an accountability partner is one of the wisest things we can do for our faith. Ultimately, by doing this, we are expressing to God we are serious about wanting to bear fruit...to change and grow to be more like Him.

It's one thing to tell others we are a Christian, to read our Bible, and to regularly attend church. It's something else when we commit to living a lifestyle that honors Him, when we link up with a trusted friend and work through our shortcomings with them in an honest and open way.

And that's who I want to be for God. Something else. I want to stand out and shine for Him. I want to light the road with such a glorious beam that others are curious to learn more. But in order to be something else, I need accountability.

Wendy Miller’s work has been published in inspirational books, online magazines and on numerous websites. She is passionate about encouraging women through writing and speaking, and currently Wendy leads a small group of seniors from her church. Raising her three little girls, writing novels, creating craft projects, and hiking are other ways she enjoys spending her time. Feel free to visit her blog to peek inside the window of her thoughts as she actively pursues what it means to follow the Lord. Wendy's Website