Commitment has a couple of facets: initiation and faithfulness. To commit to something is to do so deliberately. There is always a starting point in commitment. Sometimes it is conscious, sometimes it is very small, but there is always a beginning. There are times when there is something that I want to do, so I will make a small commitment to it, like saving up a little bit of money to get a fun new piece of tack for my horse. Once that is accomplished, maybe then I will make a bigger commitment to save up for something more substantial.
I make commitments every day, and they line up with the priorities of my heart. This includes how I spend my time, my energy, and my resources. Sometimes I get to the end of the day and realize I committed my assets to things that were not truly worthwhile.
Commitment works in both positive and negative ways. I can commit to doing things that are life-giving and edifying, or I can commit to doing things that are ultimately draining and detrimental. Because of my sinful flesh, it is far easier to choose a path that leads to death. It is the path that has big promises of fulfillment, but it has no actual ability to satisfy my needs.
Committing to the way of righteousness requires thinking farther into the future. I find that I often sin because it is easier in the moment. At that moment, I forget who I serve and why I serve Him. When I remember that I serve a great and living God who loves me with a boundless, selfless love, a desire to please Him out of a motivation of love and gratitude wells up within me.
The promises of sin all fall short, but the promises of God endure. In Psalm 37, David speaks of the Lord’s faithfulness. David knows that no matter what his circumstances look like, the Lord has committed himself to David to care for him and protect him (v. 17). Although the wicked ones around David were prospering, David knew that they would not endure (v. 7). He knew that the Lord had promised to preserve His saints forever
(v. 28). The Lord would help and deliver him.
The Lord has faithfully made these promises to me, but committing to the Lord is not something that I am forced to do. The Lord wants everyone to come to the knowledge of salvation (II Peter 3:9), but He will not force my hand. Even so, He still wants my commitment. He has freely offered to give me the strength to commit to His way and to sustain me as I follow in His path.
Commitment to the Lord can start small with little habits. It can start with praying on the car ride to school or work for five minutes a day. It can begin with waking up 15 minutes early to spend time in the Word. Sometimes the Lord calls us to big commitments, too, like being a missionary overseas. Other times it is a call to serve in a variety of large and small ways at our local congregations.
Be encouraged. Remember Joshua 1:9, “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” He will not leave us to walk alone. We do not need to fear. Let’s step out and commit to the Lord. He is committed to us, and He will act on our behalf.
Hannah Bjorgaard [FLBC freshman] is a member of Westaker Free Lutheran, Newfolden, Minn.
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