COMMITMENT: DEDICATED OR DIVERTED?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.
(Psalm 37:5)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever noticed how some people struggle with making
commitments? Maybe that someone is you. Some claim to have
made a commitment but failed to honor it. This could be why
the divorce rate is so high in the USA. Life can have its ‘ups’
and ‘downs’, can’t it? But sincere commitment means ‘having
dedication regardless of the circumstances’.

When the times are challenging, or the duration for honoring
their commitment is longer and/or more tiring than expected,
some disregard the commitments they made (either intentionally,
or unintentionally).

There are some who make a verbal commitment but have
no intention of fulfilling it. Others make commitments with
full intentions of honoring them but fail to stay true to the
promises they made. Why? Because they have allowed other
things to divert their attention and become a higher priority
or desire for them.

However, there are some who will honor their commitment no
matter what happens. We can look at soldiers for an example;
they will honor their pledge even in the face of death.

As believers, there was a time in our life when we made a promise
(commitment) to follow Jesus. We may have had the best intentions
of staying true to our commitment, but the pressures of life, the lure
of worldly pleasures, or changes in our personal desires caused us to
forget, or disregard our vow to follow Him.

We can see the results of ‘lost commitments’ in the decline of church
attendance by professing Christians. A survey revealed that only 17%
of those professing to be followers of Jesus attend church on a regular
basis.

If that percentage is accurate, that means that 83% of believers have
chosen other things to have a higher priority than church attendance.
Jesus spent approximately 6 hours on the cross to show His love for
us and His commitment to our heavenly Father. How do we show our
love for Him in return? How much time have we committed to the One
who gave His all for us?

Why would anyone who has once tasted the joy of a relationship
with the Lord, suddenly (or gradually) allow that fellowship with
Him to become less important?

When we are out of His will, we find that we can be miserable
with much and desire even more. However, when we are in the
will of God, we find that we can have peace with little and joy
in what He has blessed us with.

We can feel agony and angst even in good health if we are out
of His will. But we can be happy during suffering, when we are
in God’s will.

We can feel miserable and defeated even when receiving praise
from others if we are out of His will. But we can be calm and at
peace during persecution or exclusion from others when we are
in His will. Why? Because we have fellowship with the One who
loves us at all times.

We can be selfish, self-centered and ignore the needs of others
when we are out of His will. However, when we are in His will,
we will discover the joy of encouraging and uplifting others as
a result of our unselfishness. Jesus was unselfish and if we are
His followers, we should strive to be unselfish as well.

Take a pause from reading His devotional and think about how
often you make a special effort to check on, or do something for
someone else. Now, compare that to the number of times someone
checks on, or does something for you. This can give us a good idea
of our level of selfishness, can’t it? It can also emphasize the level
of selflessness in our life.

The Bible reveals that God has a plan for every person He created.
If we live in constant fellowship with Him, He will guide and equip
us for the fulfillment of His plan. As Christians, we should always
remember and honor the commitment we made to the Lord. It’s
our reminder that we belong to Him.

ACTION:
We should ask ourselves these questions:
    – Where am I regarding my commitment to the Lord?
    – Have I allowed ‘other things’ to cause me to forget,
       or break my commitment?
       When we break our commitment to Him, it can
       be an indication that we no longer trust Him.
    – How do I think the Lord feels about those who have forgotten
       Him, or choose to fellowship with Him only when it is convenient,
       and doesn’t interfere with their personal plans and desires?
    – Is it time for me to re-commit to the Lord
        and give Him top priority in my life?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Your gift of
salvation. Remind me of the day when I committed to
start following Jesus. Prick my conscience and resurrect
those feelings I had for You when You saved me. Restore
in me a desire to honor You and give You Your rightful
place above everything else in my life. I am sorry for
failing to honor my commitment to You and today I
re-commit myself to following You. In everything I do,
my trust is You. Renew my love for You, I pray.”

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