Commitment is one of those words that strikes fear in some and excitement into others. To be honest, it depends on what that commitment may be to. For example, my students have no problem committing to their favorite activity, but have a harder time committing to their school work. Why is it that we are able to cling to some things, but then have apathy or disgust for others? Why can we not take that same level of dedication into one area of life as we do with another area?
Let’s be honest. I despise cleaning. I hate the dentist too. However, if I were to have to choose a daily dentist visit over having to clean my house every day, I’m not sure that it would be such an easy decision. You can call it laziness. You can call it apathy. You can call it whatever you would like, but the truth is, it is a lack of commitment. As someone who has excelled academically, I have an ability to dedicate my time and efforts to my school work. Yet, why am I so hesitant to do so when it comes to my house? I’m not sure that I have an answer, but I do have a problem. You see, what we are committed to is actually a reflection on our character, interests, and personality. If I invested a lot of time into sports, I might be an athlete. If I invested a lot of time into my homework, I might be a nerd. The fact that I do not invest a lot of time into taking care of my house makes me irresponsible. The truth is I need to take that same level of commitment I show in other areas of my life and apply it to cleaning. Not because everyone needs am immaculate house, but because this is a reflection on how I value myself. What I am committed to shows what I care about.
Why is this important?
The first reason is that a lack of commitment can have consequences. If you are not committed to your job, you will probably be fired. If you are not committed to a relationship, it will not be healthy. If you are not committed to your diet, you can become sick. A lack of commitment leads to consequences. This week I hurt someone I love a lot because I did not put any effort into showing them that I respected them with my actions. While the process I was committing to was not something I looked forward to, it was something that was important to the other person. It tortures me to know my lack of consistent dedication hurt someone else. And now I am in the midst of the consequences. While I’m not sure that the situation will ever be rectified, I am sure that I seriously look at consistent commitment in a new light and that process I was not dedicated to before will see the utmost level of dedication daily from now on.
More importantly, commitment is important in our relationship with Christ. Christ does not want us to just follow lightly in His footsteps- he wants committed disciples. I often see the quote, “God does not ask about our ability or our inability, but about our availability.” How often are you available for God? If we are committed, we are not only available, but God will make us able as well. Interestingly, two Bible verses that stick out to me are (and I wish I had known them before):
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will. – Psalm 37:5
Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed. – Proverbs 16:3
Not only does Christ want us to be committed to Him, but the only way we can full succeed in other areas is to do so. I cannot overcome my disdain of cleaning without God’s help. He is able to make us succeed in any area that brings glory to His name. I used to think that cleaning was a trivial matter to God, but let’s face it- God cares about the details. One of the wisest people I know constantly reminds me, “If you are faithful in the little, then I can trust you to be faithful with more.” Cleaning, school work, our jobs, our relationships are commitments that God cares about because He cares about us.
So I ask you:
Are you committed to Christ?
Are you committed to the things He wants you to do?
Are you willing to handle to consequences if you are not committed?
If you're not ready, check out this video.
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