COMMITTED!?

So what does this mean? It’s just a word: three vowels and six consonants to be exact. It is a word that we use when we want to express to someone that we are really, really, “involved” with something or someone. For example: “I am in a committed relationship.” This statement carries the inference that person is only interested in the one they are currently dating. Or one might say: “I am committed to see this project through to the end.” This statement carries the inference that whatever the project at hand. will be kept as the number one priority until it is finished.

I have heard this about the word: Who is more committed to a breakfast of eggs and bacon, the chicken or the pig? Well? Seems like the chicken gave what she had, and the pig gave all that he had. That sums up committed.

When I do a wedding, and I have done a bunch, I always tell the bride and groom this: “Love will not sustain your commitment, but commitment can and will sustain your love.” The inference here is that a time will come when your “loving” feelings might not be as strong as they are today (really?), and if that is what is holding you together you just might be in trouble.

Sometimes we want use the word committed with exceptions: “I’m committed unless… or I’m committed until… or I’m committed if…” These exceptions can be spoken or non-spoken, but they are made to ensure something – maybe a way to break the commitment if needed. We are making the word subject to our personal definition as to how we really mean it in the current situation.

Let’s look at the definition of the word: to entrust, especially for safekeeping. Seems that if we put conditions on the commitment then we are no longer “committed”, it simply becomes a statement. If there is a “catch” then we are not really giving something away in trust are we? That’s fine not to, but then don’t commit, right?

How about in reference to one’s faith? “I have committed my life to Christ.” What is this all about? This sounds serious, like we are supposed to make Christ our number one priority. But what about my life? What about everything I have and my work and my family, and my friends, and my wife, and my…?

Well what about it? Do you know why we commit our lives to Christ? Because He committed His life for us, and gave everything He had…His life, for us, so that we may truly live. There is no wiggle room here, no exceptions, no what about? Jesus was committed.

We need to fix our commitment priorities. First, with our commitment to Christ: I believe that if we get this commitment right, all of our others will follow suit. We need to be a church committed. Committed to Jesus as He was committed to us, and using Him as our guide and model.

Look at this passage, and read it through several times:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

If this is how we work at everything, then it is Christ who you are committing to first when you commit to anything. It changes how we honor the commitment in our marriages and relationships. Heck, it should change how we honor all our commitments to anything or anyone for that matter.

So, you committed or what?

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat