Photo Credit: Tim Parkinson via Creative Commons

[dropcaps style= ‘square’]I[/dropcaps]n recent conversations, there is a theme that keeps coming to surface: commitment. One person is worried about committing to the wrong job opportunity; someone else is afraid to commit to a relationship. Another person doesn’t know if they should commit to moving to a different city. While all of these situations require prayer and godly counsel, the temptation is to do nothing out of fear of commitment versus walking in obedience to God. While commitments carry weight and future ramifications, actually committing to something might be the best thing for us.

The Fear of Commitment

Sometimes we shy away from commitment, because we think that it will tie us down. There can be a perception that commitment limits us from other bigger and better things. Yet, when did commitment start being such a bad thing? We value independence and freedom. We want to have the option to go where we want and do what we want. Yet, maybe in our freedom, we are missing some great things that God is wanting to bring into our lives through commitment: commitment to see something through to completion, commitment to relationships and people in our lives, and commitment to His calling on our lives.

 

The fear of commitment is a reality that we face in our society. We want to keep our options open, so instead of committing to building something in our lives, we end up with unfinished foundations scattered across the landscape of our lives. This is also applicable to friendships and relationships. Sometimes we can become so focused on what we can get from people that we forget the value of helping others build something in their lives as well. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12a (NLT) , Solomon says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.” We have to commit to stand alongside others before we can reap the full benefit of relationships. 

 

Let Your Yes Be Yes

The thing about commitment is that we can’t commit to everything. We just don’t have the time, energy, or space in our lives. So, what is God asking you to do? Instead of trying to maintain our independence, our focus should be on responding to God in obedience. Is He asking you to commit to serving in a ministry at your church or invest in people in your life? If we say yes to too many things, our commitments become watered down, and we become unable to follow through with what we originally promised. In wanting it all, sometimes we end up with even less. It’s time that we consider whether or not we need more options to be obedient to God. What if we started committing to a few things and stopped worrying that we will miss out on something else? If we believe that God is directing and orchestrating our lives, we can be confident that He is already leading us. Whether it is in a relationship, job, or life situation, walking in obedience to God does not have to be complicated. We don’t have to have all the answers before we respond in obedience. He just asks that we say yes, and that is the best commitment we can make.

 

 

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“May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” 1 Kings 8:57-61 (NIV)

 

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About Hona Amer

I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.

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