About commitments

(source: flickr)

A thought just entered my mind and i would like to explore it more. What is a commitment? Here are a few definitions:

• committedness: the trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose; "a man of energy and commitment"

• the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action; "his long commitment to public service"; "they felt no loyalty to a losing team"

• an engagement by contract involving financial obligation; "his business commitments took him to London"

• a message that makes a pledge.

(Source: Google) Referencing, lol.

I like the second one more "the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action..." Of course this could be expanded to cover a whole lot of things like commitment to a church, or to a person, to a friend, and so on. It could also be expanded to more relevant areas like studies, career, family well you get my point.

You can also look at it as a contract, a binding decision between two people or one that can be made by an individual. On the surface it may look like some kind of evil scheme to trap someone and make sure they are not free to do what they want. But the way i see it is more like a way to instill discipline, and to stay focused and purposeful.

So why do people bail and abandon ship when things get hard? Fear? Uncertainty? Doubt? collectively known as FUD. I think before you can be committed to something or an idea you must decide to accept the terms and conditions that comes with that commitment. I'm reminded of the marriage vow and how people take such a vow thats a vow between two people and God and each other so likely. I'm also reminded of the movie the pursuit of happyness and how the wife of the main character ditched him in such a desperate situation. I understand that he made a few bad decisions in his life but they have a vow that binds them, a commitment that holds them, a contract and she broke that. There's nothing like having someone you trust and rely on just desert you, take away your hopes and dreams and force you to reorder you life.

I'm also reminded of the commitment we have to God. And one he has to us. You mean God has a commitment to us? Like yeaaah! Look at the rainbow, in lamentations its says his mercies are new every morning, and he says nothing can separate us from his love. I've been saying this for a while now because i know its true and when you think of it, you'll discover its true. We have a commitment too to shine his light in the dark dark world that we live in and show the difference, share about who he is and bring honor to his name. And even though we fail in these areas he never really stops loving. And i don't believe that God hates sinners, he just hates the sin. How can he bring rain to both the righteous and wicked if he hates them. For while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, and He didn't do to show off to us how good he is and how bad we are for that would lower him to our level and that won't do, not one bit.

So what have I said? The commitments we make to people, to ourselves, to our family and ultimately to God help us in times when bailing seems like a very convenient option for through it we learn endurance and patience which are sterling virtues and in that we become different from everyone else.

What are you committed to?


~shalom~