Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-12
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
WHAT DO THE following have in common?
| • a baseball player’s contract | • a dentist appointment |
| • wedding vows | • a loan agreement |
All of the above are commitments of one kind or another. They’re promises.
A baseball player commits to play for a particular baseball team for a certain length of time—in exchange for, like, a bazillion dollars.
A bride and groom promise to love each other and be faithful to each other “for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health.”
A dentist promises to save a certain time of day for a patient whose jaw is swollen to about half the size of Minnesota.
A bank agrees to loan money to someone who agrees to make regular payments.
Why doesn’t the bank just loan the money without a loan agreement? Why doesn’t the patient just drop in at the dentist’s office? Why doesn’t the athlete play without a contract? Why do the bride and groom exchange vows? Because commitments are important. There is power in a commitment. When you make a commitment to someone or something, you’re not saying, “I’ll do this if I feel like it,” or “I’ll do it if it’s easy.” Instead, you’re saying, “I’ll do it whether I feel like it or not.” “I’ll do it even if it’s hard.”
That’s why it’s important to make a commitment to do the right thing. That’s why a lot of kids sign pledges not to take drugs. That’s why a lot of kids fill out “True Love Waits” commitment cards, promising to stay pure until marriage. That’s why a lot of kids sign “Prom Promises” when they’re in high school: because it’s important to make a commitment to do the right thing.
Making a commitment to do the right thing can help you when you’re tempted. You don’t have to wonder what to do; you’re reminded—by your commitment—that you’ve already made that decision.
REFLECT: What is a commitment? Why are commitments important? Have you ever committed to making right choices? Have you committed to God and to your parents not to lie? not to steal? not to cheat? not to try drugs? If so, have you told anyone of your commitment(s)?
PRAY: Take a few moments to make a commitment to God in prayer, promising to seek his will in all you do. Be as specific as you can. (For example, you might pray, “God, I want to seek your will in all that I do. I commit to telling the truth, even when it’s hard. I commit to obeying my parents, even when I don’t feel like it.”)
