Sara
Sometimes I feel weary, yes, weary, after a time of real spiritual highs. Do you ever feel that way? Just weary, right down weary! I may have been in a wonderful high praise gathering or just heard an outstanding inspirational message from God’s Word and thought; I could never, ever want to give up on doing good. Yet, my enthusiasm has waned just by hearing others talk or not talk.
In the midst of friends being ‘commitment breakers’ one has to renew their commitment and continue their course. I need to work on my relationship with The One that will NOT break His commitment. When I feel to run with the new trends so I can hope and beg for an opportunity to satisfy my will I once again remind myself; stay down, be a nobody in the eyes of ‘commitment breakers.” Why? Because: “…Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly…” Matthew 6:4
thedailylily.com 
Commitment (meaning a pledge or promise; obligation) sure sounds a lot like making a vow, saying something we promise to do. If we treat our words and others lightly or carelessly than maybe we think what we say really doesn’t matter and that we can change it on a moment’s whim or when circumstances change. Like a chameleon…
I read that chameleons change color because something signals to their brains for their color cells to change…could be temperature, light or their moods. So when a situation heats up, we get put under a search light or wake up in a disagreeable mood…isn’t it just ok to change our mind about our commitment…now that we are seeing things differently? Who will really care anyway? I think God will (that is if we believe He doesn’t change and always tells the truth and means what He says). “When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. Don’t let your mouth make you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved.”
Sounds like God got more than weary…he got angry and there are some real consequences for being a ‘commitment breaker’. Also, Maybe I don’t want to consider or think about the dominoe effects or consequences to others of breaking a promise. It is a sobering thought.
Yes, I sure have felt like giving up sometimes, but if we remain faithful and committed, God is true to his promises! Let me reiterate: (Galations 6:9) “So lets not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Thank you God, for Your promises!
As I opened my daily devotion to read today I looked and so few pages to go. Today, being Nov 1, gives me a lot less days to read than when I made the commitment Jan 1 to read with my spiritual prayer and study partners for the year. We were to read daily, share and encourage one another according to our readings and commitments. The other part of the commitment was to read, write and share together right here on this site.
Has it been easy? Not necessarily? Why? Busy? Lots of other things to read so I could keep up with the in-crowd. Today, before I got to read, Tammy, one of our very faithful, dedicated partners asked in a phone conversation; “do you live in a world that has been rigged to distract you?” She had just read this in “Jesus Calling”, our devotion by Sarah Young. She was ahead of me. I had gotten busy with what I thought important and little late in giving time for my early morning devotion. After that prompt; I jumped to it.
This year commitment of daily reading in devotion, being faithful to interact here daily, at times seemed so insignificant when my greed eyes feasted on other things. But, each and everytime one of my partners coached me back.
Now, so many times I have invited, begged, cried, and maybe other things trying to prompt others to stay the course. Receive the blessing of being faithful and not growing weary. But, to no avail. Always excuses, more broken promises or just loll loll….I am reminded that “Jesus Wept.”
Thanks to all that have been there for me to keep me accountable to my commitment. I hope I have been faithful in the small things so both you and me can receive the harvest. Sharing and Caring is a vital organ in the “Living Church!” Thank you! I give thanks to God for the saints who have influenced my faith.
I can sure relate, Sara, on the “greed eyes feasted on other things”. Thank you, Sara, for keeping me accountable to my commitments. May God continue to bless you, my friend!
“my enthusiasm has waned just by hearing others talk or not talk.” I heard on the news tonight that one of the Pa State leaders had been charged with; “conspiracy of silence” I could only think of the words ‘not talk.’ Wonder how it shows in our spiritual life when we could of spoken up and didn’t. The news reporter said the man kept quiet for 16 years and now the charge has come to him. O, when we really stop and look at our actions and consequences when we sit by idly about things we might be able to change or help.
Something as small as to encourage another. Give the other a blessing by speaking about their goodness in an effective way that would help all. Just so many things run thru ones mind when they hear such words, ‘conspiracy of silence.’
The commitment to read the devotional along with our other partners on the Lily and in the church has hit pay dirt. Every morning I awaken, usually at 5:00 a.m., to reach for that little book, my Bible and my journal and wonder often in awe, and speculate as to just who has been reading my mail, every morning…or figuring out my day ahead of time. That commitment….though originally something “extra” added to responsibilities has been an exciting and blessed exercise.
Perhaps I can’t say that every commitment I make reaps such a delightful reward and contributes a spiritual dimension to my life, but I can aver that just the fact of continuing to be true to my commitment and not backtracking in itself gives one some feeling of victory over the distracting world, the urgency of the flesh and the protracted efforts of the devil.
Sara, in re-reading the blog, the thought occurred to me that maybe those of us who promise to help/do/act/give/preach/teach, etc. and after awhile, float off to somewhere either inaccessible or estranged from the original “contract”….well, do you think that makes them liars? I mean if no reason, explanation , apology or even “excuse” is given to the one(s) whom we promised; just the shirking of a responsibility WE made on our own…..does this make us out to be liars. And if so…what about what Jesus Christ said about liars (who don’t repent).
MG, I am sure others will have comments to add and enlighten us, hopefully. Although, as I ponder your comment on lying; it strikes the mind like lightening hitting the skies. I feel many have no clue they have even made a commitment or have a very good idea in their minds why they broke their commitment. Paul writes to the Philippians instructed them to have the mind of Christ. Specifically, Chapter 2:12 b, he enlightens the believers with such magnificent words; “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;” If we set-up in our minds the idea that Paul was writing from a prison cell in Rome and he was instructing believers then and now to be determined in their minds that no matter the circumstances find the courage to serve God. His letter is full of motivational, goal-oriented inspiring words to say; ‘don’t quit, don’t give up.! Love this epistle.
MG wrote about, “just the shirking of a responsibility WE made on our own”… I don’t think we want to draw back now when eternity is right around the corner. Sad to think many of us may come so far, jourbeying many miles and then just stop and turn back when it may be just a few more miles to go. I like what the Message has to say in Hebrews 10:38-39 about not quitting.
“But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.”
If ‘many have no clue they even made a commitment’ can it be blamed on just forgetfulness? Maybe it never really sank down in the heart and took root because that wasn’t really the harvest prioritized in the mind. Maybe the listening ear really filtered it out to make way in case a more convenient or desirable agenda appeared on the scene. Maybe, acording to the scripture below, we didn’t find just what we were looking for in the looking glass when we went to take a peek.
“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.” James 1:22-24 Message
Commitment or not! I truly have been commited to reading, writing the daily devotion, looking up the scriptures. In this past year sometimes I was almost afraid to read the next days words as they so correlated to my day and life. However, holding on to the Words of the scripture and what the author said got me through the day and encouraged me to go straight ahead on the path God was leading me. How could I ever do without it. It drew be closer to GOD and more dependent on him in every step. I often made a comment to others that God must get tired of me holding on so tightly. The little book was the best Christmas Gift EVER.
This week I went to a bible study where they were talking about how people go and have spiritual highs through praise and worship and then walk away into their week with all the fustrations and fall. The leader said the problem is that some people do not have the strong foundational skills within them that the BIBLE has to offer us. We are thus spiritually hungry and poor because we have not feasted on what feeds and satisfies the spirit, the WORD of God. By feasting daily on the WORD of God, the BIBLE, we would see an abundance in our lives – a river flowing that flows into other lives – miracles happening, healings, love, joy, peace in all circumstances. The leader said that by putting the WORD in us that the WORD being a double edged sword would cut away the old/sinful self, which is not to be in our lives. We would be a river for God and not a damn/wall holding back God’s flow.
Rena, sounds like your Bible Study is also on a journey with thedailylily and friends. I love how the Holy Spirit works in our lives connecting the church together. I have heard people say the church is dead. Maybe parts are, but our dear friend Sis Ruth Catalano taught that there is a living church out of the dead church.
This mornings devotion is moving in the right groove as well. The scripture that really touched me from Jesus Calling was Hebrews 13: 20-21 NIV says Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood, may He equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you through the power of Jesus Christ every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen
What a wonderful prayer. The words ..the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus really brings tears if you think about it of what God did there.
Rena writes; “Commitment or not!” She is making reference to our ‘group commitment.’ Now, she is a better person than I…..I must say if I did not know that I would be challenged by others and it would show if I had not been on task daily in my reading and studying of this little devotion and the daily participation on this site, I would be off task. I will admit that sometimes I look at the pages left ahead and think of writing and reading here and say; “how many more days?” The sting of the commitment goes away when one gives me encouragement from the readings and/or comments/blogs, that helps to make my day. I am reminded of Hebrews 3:13 NLT “You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.” I guess God knew I needed that because I wobble off commitment all too often.
I am reminded that this commitment was made in and with a group discussion and lots of prayer. At times others might forget how it was made and accuse another of making it for them. I wonder how God sees forgetfulness…. HAhaha, God knows and he laughs, I believe. Psalm 2:4 “But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.” I guess with forgetfulness with no reminders would put me in unbelief as the Holy Spirit doesn’t remind. I better stop now I have no excuse. Just sorry Lord for my lack of commitment and trust.
OUCH!!