Take a few moments to do a
commitment inventory. In other words, think about the people, things, and ideas
(values) you are committed to. One definition of commitment is “the state or
quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.”
Most people would say that they are
committed to their husbands, wives, children, girlfriends, boyfriends, and many
other types of relationships in their lives. Many people can describe
commitment with regard to their jobs or employers or fellow-workers. And
through our lives most of us experience commitments like graduating from high
school, getting a college degree, someday buying a home, starting a family,
and/or serving our community.
We commit to healthy living, to
exercise, to diets, to serving our country, to travel, to various hobbies and
personal interests (such as fishing, boating, running, collecting various
things, sports teams, music, arts and crafts). We commit to television programs
and computer programs (such as Pinterest and FaceBook) electronic games (like
X-Box and PlayStation), as well as to pets, family/personal chores, looking
good (whatever it takes), and reading. All of us who have played on a team (any
sport) or learned to play a musical instrument or saved money in any way have
experienced the significance of commitment.
The number of commitments out there
are as many and varied as there are people. The list is huge. How has your
commitment inventory grown over time? Some of our commitments are public and well
known (think wedding) and some are internal, and quietly personal. All these
commitments – regardless of their origin - require a decision on my part. How
will I use my time? How will I use my energy? How will I use my money?
One thing I know: all commitment
requires sacrifice. There is no commitment without sacrifice. If you and I are
not sacrificing something, then we are not truly committed. You and I make
sacrifices for the things/persons/ideas we are committed to.
What does your commitment inventory say about you?
What does it say to you? Where does Jesus Christ fit in? Where does His body,
the church, fit in? If you say that Christ is at the very top of all you are
committed to, does the reality of your life (and how you make sacrifices)
reflect that? Can others see that your highest commitment is to Jesus when they
look at how you spend your time, energy, and money? Are all of your life’s
commitments subject to – or submitted to – Christ? Can you or I be effective
followers of Jesus if He is not at the very top… if all of life is not
surrendered to Him?
As you can tell, I have lots of questions on my mind.
They all started when I took that commitment inventory. It’s really good for me
to think about those questions. Jesus asked questions and taught in such a way
that caused people to evaluate their commitment to Him. He was not interested
in fair-weather fans. He is looking for followers, and there are no true
followers (of anyone or anything) who are not committed. And there is no
commitment without sacrifice.
John 6:66-69 (NIV) 66 From this time many of his disciples turned
back and no longer followed him. 67 "You do not
want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon
Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the
Holy One of God."
Mark 8:34-38 (NIV) 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his
disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me,
he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit
his soul? 37 Or what can
a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and
sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his
Father's glory with the holy angels."
John 21:15-17 (NIV) 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said
to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than
these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love
you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again
Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered,
"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of
my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him,
"Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus
asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you
know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my
sheep.
PRAYER: Father, lead me to understand my commitments
in light of the Gospel and my relationship with you. Give me grace to
understand that even more important than commitment is the idea and practice of
submission to you and your Word. Thank you for the joy that is in submission to
your will and purposes for my life. Fill me with a hunger for you and for your
will. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
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