COMMITTED TO LIFE AND GROWTH

You’ve probably heard the little story about a pig and a chicken having a conversation about a meal they want to provide for their friends.  The chicken suggests bacon and eggs for the menu.  The pig responds "Not on your life! For you that's just a contribution. For me, it's a total commitment."

Here's some of what the Bible says about total commitment:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1

To grow and mature and do well in any area of life requires commitment.  In order to develop their skills, professional athletes consistently practice for long hours, at inconvenient times, over many years.  Medical professionals spend huge amounts of time and money to learn the necessary skills to properly care for patients who are injured or sick.

Maintaining our life with God also takes time and effort.  The habits and disciplines we practice need to be consistently carried on if we are to grow and mature.  We improve our conscious contact with God by praying and meditating on His word each day and then carrying out His will in all our affairs.  Sometimes it will be convenient and many times it will not. 

Sliding away from a focus on God’s plan into a focus of “me and my needs/problems” is a constant challenge for us.  Deciding that our way in our time will work better than God’s instructions and the advice of trusted friends is a temptation we will have to face and overcome many times. 

And so the question today is, “Have we decided that God’s way is best and committed to His plan no matter what?” 

Lord we know that to live as You intend includes the challenge of turning our will and our life over to Your care.  We know it’s not a one-time pledge but an everyday commitment.  You tell us: 

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.  

Psalm 37:5

Well, everything is pretty all-encompassing and so we, in this moment once again turn our will and our life over to you -- all the plans and ideas we have about today and our future.  We commit to doing this each day, and as often in each day necessary going forward.  Show us Your will and help us to walk in it.  Amen

Total commitment … it’s a challenge but when it comes to God and His ways, it’s a challenge I’ve found to be very worth while accepting.  I’m sure you will too.