Thought for Tuesday, April 9th

April 9, 2013

Commitment

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:4-8

“It doesn’t take such a great man to be a Christian; it just takes all there is of him.”

-          Seth Wilson

By in large, it would seem, as a society we do not seem to be nearly as committed to things as were some of our predecessors.

For example my grandparents once they relocated to Florida, lived in the same home for more than forty years. Among older generations of workers it was not uncommon for an employee to be with the same company for the vast majority of their adult work life up until they retired.  And I have even found the occasional senior who has been in the same church their entire life, as were there parents and their grandparents.

However these attributes are not so common today: people relocate with regularity; they change jobs frequently and it is rare to find people under forty who attend church with some regularity, that don’t change churches every few years or so.

As Christians I sometimes think we have allowed this noncommittal mentality to creep into our attitudes towards service and ministry as well.  We get on board with something new and maybe ride the wave of excitement until it runs into a few snags, then we are ready to bail on that project for something new, different and maybe a little more exciting.

Often we let this approach to our activities spill over into our relationships too, especially when it comes to our relationship with the Lord.  We are on again/off again, hit and miss, spontaneous at our best, but spotty and illusive more often than not.

Doesn’t God deserve more and better from us?

Aren’t we glad His commitment to us isn’t always reflective of or equal to our commitment to Him?

Scripture tells us to present ourselves as living sacrifices to Him and it goes on to inform us that this is just a reasonable service.

In a time, in a world where commitment isn’t always a high priority: as Christians, especially when it comes to our relationship with God: don’t you think it’s time we make it one?  

Today’s Prayer

Father, sometimes it seems so easy to get distracted and so difficult to stay the course: but I know you deserve nothing less, than my best and my all: so help me to be more committed to giving You what You deserve.