October 10 , 2007
"Commitment”
Dear Friend,
Commitment is a word we often use with only a vague sense of what it really means. The word comes into English from Latin and its truest meaning is: “to connect in a way that inspires trust.” When we commit ourselves to another person or to a group of people, we connect ourselves to them in a way that permits them to trust us. We make commitments to ourselves, to others and to God.
A Commitment to Oneself – Do you connect to what is uniquely and powerfully and personally you? Do you inspire trust or doubt in yourself?
A Commitment to Others – Do you connect to other people in honest and open ways that encourages them to trust you?
A Commitment to God – Do you make spiritual connections to God that permits Him to trust you?
You see, the issue is not what promises do I make, but rather what connections do I make. It is possible to keep our promises but break our commitment. This happens when we perform what we promised, but preserve and protect ourselves from the messiness and disappointment of human relationships. The most incredible things we will ever accomplish will be achieved at the level of commitment.
The psalmist advised us in Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.” In this verse we have a duel commitment. We connect with the Lord at the level of deep trust and He connects with us in His providential activity in our lives.
Doc
Dr. Dave Collings
Lead Pastor
Christ Church
