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Commitment – Part 2

Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 1 Corinthians 9:26

Anytime you make a commitment to something, your commitment will be tested in three ways:

1. Experiencing failure. The greatest challenge to commitment is failure. Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton says, 'Achieving that goal is a good feeling, but to get there you have to get through the failures. You have to be able to pick yourself up and continue'.

2. Having to stand alone. When you want to accomplish something people will try to distract you, challenge you or get you to settle for less. It may be unintentional, or it may be because they are worried that if you grow and succeed they will feel left behind. In those moments you must ask: 'Who am I trying to please - God or man? When I stand before God what will I be glad I did now?'

3. Facing deep disappointment. When things go wrong, when life gets tough, when the enemy begins to attack, will you be able to carry on? That depends. 'On what?' you ask. On your willingness to renew your commitment each day. To keep yourself on track, make a copy of these words by William H Murray and carry them with you wherever you go: 'The moment one definitely commits one’s self, then [divine] providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in ones favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would come his way.'

Prayer
Heavenly Father, Help me make my commitment to you like Yours is to me. Help me carry that through in other areas of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen