Am I Committed?

July, 2005

by: Becky Barnfather

Would you consider yourself truthful, honest, committed, even loyal? Perhaps you are only somewhat reliable, maybe even “flakey” – dare I say that word? Whatever your answer, consider what I have noticed recently that is an ever-increasing problem among some of us church-goers. I remember a time, when I was in my self-thinking years of college, when I was very “flakey” and selfish. It’s funny to think now, but I had only one person in mind when it came to committing to something. I think I went to about three or four different churches my freshmen year in college, several other the following year, and even quit as a church pianist without even much more than a week’s notice, so I could go to church with my boyfriend (who’s now my husband). Well, let’s just say I was not too faithful or committed. I’ve changed through the years, I know that. I have parents who are extremely committed and have taught me to always stay true to my word. But, what is more important is that the Bible teaches us to be faithful and committed. Matthew 5:37 says, “But let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no,’ ‘no.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” In other words, your word is your vow. Deuteronomy 23:21-23 tells us “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you. But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to you. That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.” What can we assume with this? A person who doesn’t keep his own commitments probably is undisciplined in the rest of his life (see the book by John MacArthur The Book on Leadership).

Have you been attending this church without making much of a commitment? Or perhaps you sign up and don’t arrive on time or don’t come prepared? Are you serving in areas or just watching everyone else do the hard work? When we make any of these decisions, they not only affect us but those around us.

What happens when we decide that the Bible Study we started is just getting too hard and quit, what affect does that have? First, it clearly affects your spiritual life. I would even venture to guess that if it’s just too hard that there is a deeper spiritual reason for you quitting and should be examined. Second, those around you that have come to know you and pray for you and have become your trusted friends no longer have you to trust and confide in. Third, you’re clearly showing those around you that there is something more important in your life than sticking to this commitment. I use this example only to show that all commitments should be just that: commitments. When we start something – signing up to help, signing up to come to something – we need to finish it. I know, firsthand, that watching others come to a Bible Study or other church activity and begin to see God’s Word flourish in lives is so exciting. But, then to see them quit or stop because it just wasn’t working for them, is so heartbreaking. Am I honoring God by my commitment? Albeit, there are times we have to give something up or quit for unforeseen reasons, but often I see others quit or stop, for some pretty poor reasons. Let’s be a committed body of believers! Let’s honor God and show others our love for them. Commit to an area of this church, join a Bible Study, come to a function and don’t quit! Stick with it. Just imagine if everyone in this church offered to commit to just ONE area of service, ONE Bible Study, or ONE function how we would grow to love one another, help spur each other on in our spiritual growth, and see the needs of the church met!

That very famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park “Old Faithful” – it really isn’t the highest or largest geyser. But, it’s very popular because it’s regular and dependable. This is why it has been given it’s name. You may not be the best at something or the fastest but God can use you when you are faithful.