I saw a fitting cartoon yesterday...
A boy breaks a lamp while throwing a ball in the house.
When his mom enters the room with a reproving look he responds by saying:
It's Putin's fault.
Funny.
Putin seems to be getting the blame for everything these days.
In the next week or so someone else will get the blame.
We humans are accomplished excuse-makers and blame-shifters.
It goes way back to Adam and the time He blamed God for the wife He gave him.
And as Adam's offspring, we've all tended to dodge responsibility ever since.
Yet the Bible tells us everyone will give an account for what he's done (2 Cor.5:10).
And it reveals further that God rewards those who take responsibility for what He entrusts to them (Mt.25:14-30).
Another way to put it is... God's kingdom is built by those who take ownership of their actions.
In a nation where people are quick to see themselves as victims, this principle of responsibility needs reviving.
It's tempting to start by applying this to others.
But the place to begin is with ourselves.
So the next time you're looking for a scapegoat or something you can blame, forget it.
Own up to what needs owning up to... look to Jesus for grace... seek forgiveness where you need forgiveness... and move on.
You'll be far more fruitful because of it.