Committing to Commitment

Commitment is one of the most important parts of the human experience, particularly when we speak about relationships.  Commitment is, in a sense, the single vital aspect of every vibrant and successful relationship.  It is our commitment that permits us to love during the hardships, to cover a fault when we need to care for another, and to put the other first for the purpose of love.

Needles to say, this is more than a difficult endeavor if not downright impossible for us to do.  It is, however, this very thing that God demands of us.  Commitment to Him, to our spouses, and to the people in our lives.  But in this commandment He has given us assistance: His Spirit, which guides us and leads us to commit completely.

Therefore, if we are struggling to commit, it is not that we should simply strive harder in our own strength, but that we should seek after His direction for our lives with praise and supplication.  This is the very essence and the intent of commitment, while it is also a statement about how we should commit with vigor to those commitments that fill our lives.

Let us then always seek then to commit in every area of our lives.

Racing as Slow as you can

I grew up in a motorcycle family.  Dirt bikes were my family's way to relate, and competition was a part of that.  My family was always involved in a motorcycle club, the Norsemen, who hold various events and races.  One such event that I remember from my youth was a family fun day, a day of riding when the club members would play around on their bikes with their families.  There are few things better than food, family, and the smell of burning gasoline.

During these fun days, there were always fun "novelty" events.  One of these events was the "slow" race.  For this, riders would see who could  travel the length of the field the slowest, without touching their feet to the ground.  For beginners, who had never practiced going as slow as possible, this was a huge challenge because it pushed riders to control their bodies, their throttles, and their balance.  But even riders who had been riding competitively for years struggled too.

And no matter how clearly or how many times the rules were stated, inevitably, when the race was started there would be at least one rider who missed the point entirely and sped recklessly to the finish line.  Or other riders would get so frustrated by their inability to perform this odd task.  There were even highly-experienced riders that were struggling and frustrated at their inability to do such a seemingly simple task.

To think that very good riders with years of advanced riding experience struggled to compete in this particular event always struck me as a humorous and prophetic ordeal.  Asking someone who has trained and practiced one thing, to then do the very opposite thing is a difficult endeavor, but in many ways is exactly what God asks of us when we become regenerate believers.

Humanity's natural inclination is towards the flesh and to sin.  We spend our lives practicing the flesh and training in sin.  Yet when we become believers through the work of Christ, God changes the rules and asks for an entirely different criteria.  He, God, asks us to live our lives for the Spirit, a way of life that is wholly different than our previous focus which was living for the flesh.

Luckily, God has clearly stated and repeated what He asks of us, what the "rules" for His race are.  He desires our utter love and unabashed devotion.  This means that we will cast aside every sin and weight which hiders us and we will run with effort and perseverance to the Lord.  We should also decide, upfront, to live our lives with an ardent focus on remaining in the center of God's will for our lives.  Let us then listen intently to God's direction(s) for our lives so as to compete in the race to the best of our abilities, especially if that means we have to neglect our fleshes so as to exalt the Spirit of God within us!

How Far Would We Go For Love?

There is an old sailor's tale that goes something like this:

There was once a proud sailor.  He had sailed the seas of the world his entire life, living his whole life on a ship.  The sailor had always loved the allure and freedom of the seeing, never considering that he would or even could be pulled away from the torrent and tides of the deepest oceans.  He had a variety of lovers at each of the ports he would visit; a different girl in every place.

Then, on one of his frequent in-land tours, he and his party stumbled across a native peoples that intrigued him.  They were a fishing tribe but were remarkable skilled in dying fabrics, and they wore of the brightest colored clothing that he had ever come across.  While trading various trinkets with the tribe, he met the chief's daughter.

She was a beautiful woman with auburn hair that stirred up images of autumn and her lightly-tinted, grain-colored skin reminded him of the grain-filled pastoral plains of his childhood.  Within moments of being in her presence, he fell for her like the dropping of an anchor from the ship of his heart.  He vowed that he would make her his wife.

The sailor brought the woman gifts of the finest jewels and silk from the farthest corners of the earth but she was uninterested in his knickknacks.  He then decided that he would impress her by studying her tribe's culture and history.  As his ship set sails for other shores, he stayed behind to settle with her until he could convince her that he loved her.  For months, he tried to impress her with his enthusiasm and gifts, but he was always hindered by the significant language barrier.

Finally, as his time was drawing to a close because his ship would be returning, he determined to learn to speak her language so that he could tell her in her tongue that he was madly in love with her and that he wanted to make her his wife.  Over much arduous and intent practice, he had finally learned enough to tell her that he loved her.

In the end, this final step was what the chief's daughter was waiting for.  Although there had been many sailors who had tried to woe her and win her hand with gifts, none of them had been so determined in his affections that he would learn her own language.  When the sailor had learned her language and gotten to the point that he could tell her how he felt, he had proven his love for her by his persistent pursuit and determination. She then knew that he would go to any lengths to love her.

This tale is one of love.  It is remarkable how determined the sailor was to love the woman.  He went to the limits of his power to express his love for her: he gave her his finest treasures, he gave her his time, his career, and his mind.  In the end, it was his utter and persistent devotion that was the limit of his love.

Let us translate this to God.  How far are we willing to go to love God?  Would we give up all our treasures? Our time?  Our very lives?  Like the sailor, there should be no lengths to which we would not be willing to go to show our love for God.  Truly, there are many verses that express this very thought, but perhaps Jesus' words in Matthew 16:25 says it best:

"Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Let us, then, determine to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and with all strength regardless of the cost!

The Salt & Light Snowblower

Several years ago, Ned bought a new snow blower, which is a necessity for the snowy winters of Minnesota.  Previously he had always shoveled his driveway and it took over an hour.  But now, with that beautiful machine, he could get it done in less than five minutes.  The ease of snow-blowing took away the all-too familiar dread of having to shovel.  He even enjoyed doing the drive.

The second winter he had the blower, two elderly neighbors from California moved in across the street.  The couple both had heart problems and Ned noticed them struggling to shovel the drive after the first snow fall.  When he saw them wrestling with the snow, he simply started his blower, pushed it across the street, and did their's too.  It just became a part of the routine; twelve minutes for both drives.  Ned then also remembered that his other neighbor, Mike, left for work at 4:30 in the morning, so he bagan doing his too.  Another four minutes.

A few years later, his next door neighbor, Larry, passed away.  Because his widowed wife, Pearl, was also elderly, Ned just started doing hers too.  Another five minutes.  Later that same year, the neighbors down the block had a baby, so Ned added their's to his routine too.  By the end of that year, Ned was snow blowing about a half hour and doing five driveways.

Ned was happy to be the neighborhood plowman, relishing in the joy of caring for and serving his community.  One night, though, he fell deathly ill and had to be taken to the hospital.  Over the course of a two day bed-ridden, hospital stay he recovered and was eventually released.  As his wife was driving him home, he felt so bad because there had been a huge snowfall the night before.

However, as they arrived back in the neighborhood, he was astonished to see that all of the driveways were done.  To his amazement, Ned's wife told him that in the morning she looked out the front window to see one of their other neighbors, whom they had never even met, doing the driveways.  Ned nearly broke into tears. He never realized the affect that he had made over the past few years.

The point is example.  If we are to be the salt and light of the world, the very hands and feet of Christ, then we need to look at the needs around us and step in to fill them.  Jesus calls us to love as He loves us.  Think of that: He gave His very life, dying upon the cross to serve and to love all humankind.  Laying down our preference and our comfort in order to care for others is what being a Christian is all about.  Therefore, let us seek out opportunities to serve and then seize them for Him!

Using Time to the Fullest

Much of Holy Writ is dedicated to the task of understanding wisdom.  Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the book of Job are all explicitly devoted to the quest for wisdom.  The particulars of wisdom are examined by pitting wisdom against folly.  The onset of the search for wisdom is the fear of God (Pro. 9:10).  Reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom, and should guide every decision in every situation we may face.

Some of the most constant and challenging decisions we face is that of time usage.  Time is limited; there is only so much of it to do all of the things that need to be done.  Everyday, several times a day, we face decisions in how we will choose to devote our time.  As a result, a true test of wisdom is in how well we make use of the time we have been given because our time is so limited.  We should, then, strive to prioritize with wisdom so as to not let the time go along in uselessness.

Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians to live wisely by making the most use of the time, for the days are evil (Eph. 5:15-16).  Truly, this is the case.  For time passes whether we are aware of it or not.  And if we are not paying attention, it will be too late before we realize.  Paul echoes his exhortation in his letter to the Colossians (Col. 4:5), indicating that this is an important teaching and should not be quickly neglected.

Ultimately, godly time management and prioritization is a practice that takes effort, diligence, and discipline.  Often the trappings of the world have such a hook-like pull that distract us from the tasks we have been called to complete.  Think of all the time we've so easily spent online, in front of the television, or just sitting around doing nothing.  In the end, this should not be so.  Let us then press on in faith and obedience to make the best use of the blessed time that God has given us!

Doing the Will of Christ

The nature of the Christian life is one of devotion, of diligence, and of pursuit.  But above all else, the Christian life is a matter of practice.  Christians are called to be doers of the Word (James 1:22-23; 2:23-25).  If Christians would take to this task seriously, we would see far more fruit-bearing, Word-living, people-loving Christians.

Jesus says, quite directly, that it is not the hearers of the Word who will be blessed, but the doers (Matt. 7:24-27).  This should compel us to eschew simple indoctrination and to pursue living out the teachings of Christ.

Peter writes that Jesus has become our example (1 Pet. 2:21).  What is an example that isn't emulated.  In order for Jesus to actually be our example, we need to be doing what He taught.  This is an active ordeal.  Quite plainly, if we are not doing what Jesus has emulated, then we are not being obedient.  Thus, if we claim to be Christians we need to be doing the Word of Christ, actually fulfilling Christ's commandments within our lives.  

This is what planting the Word in our hearts is all about; this is what  growing fruit is all about; this is what abiding in Him is all about.  If, then, we who claim Christ are to grow in obedience we must be willing and committed to doing the Will of Christ.  Let us then commit to becoming doers of the Word who live out the teachings of the Word in word and deed!

Faith like Hannah

The story of Samuel is one of the greatest stories in all of Scripture.  His role in shaping the nation of Israel is unmistakable and remarkable.  The two books that bear his name tell the story of Israel transitioning from the time of the judges to a kingdom with a king, and he plays a major role in the transition.  And though the stories of Saul and David often overshadow the story of Samuel, it is a fertile one worth mining.

Hannah, Samuel's mother, was barren.  She had been praying to God for several years to have Him bless her with child by her husband, Elkanah.  Every year, Elkanah took Hannah and his other wife, Peninnah, to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord.  Hannah would weep bitterly because of her barrenness that was exacerbated by Peninnah's chiding.

One year, Hannah was in the street one night in Shiloh during her families yearly pilgrimage when the priest, Eli, noticed her.  Eli thought Hannah was drunk and told her to leave for her debauchery.  But Hannah cried out that she was not drunk but stricken by her barrenness, explaining that she was troubled in spirit from her condition.  Eli blesses the woman and tells her that God will grant her petition because of her faith.

In response, the Lord blesses Hannah and she becomes pregnant with Samuel.  Hannah is overjoyed by God's faithfulness.  She determines to devote her son to the Lord and gives him to the service of Eli and to the work of the Lord.  Though she visits him yearly, she gives up her son to the Lord.  In doing so, she offers one of the most beautiful songs in all of Scripture, echoed by Mary, the mother of Jesus in the Gospels.

The point of the story is submission in thankfulness.  Though Hannah had been struggling her whole life in barrenness, waiting for a child, when God finally blessed her with a child, she offered the child up to God as a sacrifice and offering.  Hannah is an example of what true devotion looks like.  She gave her everything to the Lord with utter joy.  We should strive to take the same mind among us in offering our best to God with all thankfulness and faith.

Whoever Wants Fruit Must Be Willing to Work With Seeds

A woman goes to the Farmer's Market to pick up some local flowers and fresh vegetables.  She moves leisurely through the market, chatting and conversing with each of the vendors, buying various herbs and flowers and some  lovely, fresh bell peppers.  The woman finally comes to a small stand that was manned by Christ Jesus Himself.

Jesus held out his hand and said, "I have the greatest of fruit in all of creation.  Anything you want, just ask me and I will give it to you."  The woman, without hesitation, bursts out, "I want joy, peace, faith, wisdom," and a slew of other things, adding, "Can I get enough for my neighbors and the whole world too?"

Jesus smiles gently and replies, "I don't think you understand, young lady.  I have seeds, which are the powerful Word of God.  But it is up to you to plant them and to care for their growth, though I will bless whoever is willing to commit to the work."  The woman walks away dejected because of her impatience.  She wanted the greatness of God now without the work it required.

One of Jesus' first parables is the Parable of the Sower; it goes something like this:

A sower went out to sow.  As he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell along the rocky ground, where the they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up because of the shallow soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched.  Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.  While other seeds fell among good soil and produced grain.

Jesus is describing the Word of God takes root in the hearts of humans.  Like the woman at the stand, many of us would prefer the full-grown fruits of God and righteousness instead of a seed.  But God gives us the seed of His Word, and asks us to plant it within our hearts.  And though we would all assume that we are the good soil described in the parable.  But if we are not willing to plant, to till, and care for the seed, which equates to Spirit-led Bible study put into practice, then we take on the soil characteristics of the other soils. We should be sure to accept the reality of our responsibility to the cultivation of God's Word appropriated to our lives.  Let us then commit with diligence to the task of working the seeds in our lives.  And by the power of God working in us we will be blessed with godly fruits!

Acceptable Sacrifice and Worship

Worship is a full-person ordeal.  It requires conviction in love and Spirit.  Additionally, because worship is, in its basest form, stepping into the presence of the Holy Lord and because He cannot be in the presence of sin, we must put on Christ and strive to keep in Christ for the purpose of worship.  Because of the gravity inherent to worship, to relegate it to brief liturgy, hymn singing, or a time of prayer is far less than what God asks of us.

The Old Testament has some revealing things to say about the true nature of worship.  The first instance of worship is in regards to Cain and Abel.  We may remember the end of the story with Cain murdering Abel and God banishing Cain, but we should never forget the beginning of the story and why Cain killed his little brother.

Gen. 4 tells us that at some point Cain and Abel brought sacrifices to God, Cain of the field and Abel of the flock.  Both brought a sacrifice of praise and worship, yet God disregarded Cain's in favor of Abel's. It was God's determination of the value of their sacrifices that roused Cain's jealousy and caused him to murder his brother.  Both brothers sought to worship God with sacrifices of praise, God considered Abel's worthy and Cain's less-than.  The pertinent question is why?

There are two reasons that God favored Abel's sacrifice over Cain's.  The first is the sacrifice itself: Abel brought the firstborn of his flock.  While it could never be said that farming isn't a toilsome lot, the sheer value of animals cannot be overrated.  The firstborn was the most valuable thing anyone could offer.  Abel's sacrifice cost him more than Cain's.  The measurement of worship is how much it costs the worshiper, not how it stacks up against other worshipers (Mark 12:41-44).

Secondly, Abel's heart of sacrifice was not out of obligation, it was out of love.  The content and state of the worshiper's heart is the measurement of worship.  Abel offered worship out of his sincere love and reverence for the Lord.  Because of this, God found Abel's sacrifice acceptable.  This should prompt us to have the same mind among us in worship.

At the final analysis, God wants our worship to be sincere, reverent, and costly.  While most Christians would agree with the first two, the last should not ever be eschewed in favor of more comfortable worship.  We need to give Him our very best.  Only when we give Him the very best of ourselves will we be offering Him acceptable and pleasing sacrifices and worship.  As Paul says, we need to offer our very bodies fully to Him as our sacrifice of worship (Rom. 12:1).  Let us then commit to worship that which may be pleasing in His sight!