Wednesday, February 17, 2016
It is a generally accepted belief that many people, especially men, abstain from marriage due to their fear of commitment, but this understandable fear extends to other situations in life as well. Many people have a general understanding about what commitment really is. Because of it, they don’t want to jump into one, not so much because they don’t want to, but rather they are afraid they will not be able to fulfill their part of the agreement. In essence, their fear of failing is greater than the love for the person or cause involved.
As in marriage, a commitment includes vows, pledges, or promises, thus making it a serious matter, something which definitely cannot be jumped into without much prayer and careful consideration. Regarding this matter, Numbers 30:2, says: “When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.” How often have you abstained from getting involved in a situation or cause because you felt you would not be able to fulfill the requirements? Then, there are those who get involved in a cause, position, or relationship, never realizing that they had committed themselves. This happens in many areas of life as well as in church. Before my life in Christian service began, I was involved in coaching a little league baseball team. I had great success in it because I was totally committed to it, so much that my wife and children were a big part of it. Even back then, I could see that other coaches in our league were not completely committed and it showed in their teams’ performance. I know of many churches who have suffered because their pastor, teachers, singers, musicians, etc., are not totally “sold out” on the Lord. Paul wrote this truth: “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” (2 Timothy 2:4) Pastors, and all Christians who serve in ministry are soldiers. They have to understand that if they don’t fulfill their duty, they are letting their commanding officer down, as well as those they have been chosen to minister to.
Fear of commitment is understandable. Because of it, I have abstained from getting involved in any person, thing, or cause because I am already completely committed to my calling involving the people I am obligated to. I don’t take the writing of this blog, on the other hand, as a commitment. As you well know, this one I do when time and circumstance allows it. If I had viewed as a commitment, I would feel awful for having failed in it. I feel badly enough as it is. In the end, committing ourselves to a person, group, or cause, is a good thing. Don’t be afraid of it, especially after you have asked God to help you in it.
Memory verse for the week: (Psalm 27:1) “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”
