Committed

There it is, in all its glory.
The new “Whats it!” The new “opportunity.” The new improved! The new and better! The new, faster, stronger, sexier! It’s tempting to drop the old carrot, and take hold of the cake dangling in front of our face sometimes. Oh, don’t get me wrong, there are definitely times to drop the old. But what about when the new comes in the face of, and at the cost of our commitment? What about when it comes at the cost of our word?

You committed to a job and something better seems to come along? You committed to a customer and someone offers you more if u go back on your word. You committed to a club, group, or school and discover a more appealing place. You committed to a church and something about the one next door seems more appealing. You committed to your spouse and someone more appealing, exiting, and interested came along. You committed to a lifestyle and it seemed better to go back on the commitment.

Sure, we could always talk about the benefits of our change of mind. The new place was better. The new woman was prettier and easier to get along with. The new job was paying more.

But, What about the benefit of keeping our word? What about not buying into the “grass is greener,” approach and trusting in God to bless our commitment, loyalty, and integrity. Is it better to have the worldly benefits or the spiritual benefits?

I was wrestling with my own question of commitment this month. I asked a friend his opinion and he told me a story about a costumer he had.

Joe had a truck for sale. He had just posted the the truck and advertised it when he received a call from a customer in Canada. The truck was advertised for $12k and he said he wanted it and would come and get it in a week. Joe told him it was his.
The next day the phone rang and another costumer called and offered Joe $13k for the truck “Right Now!”
Joe explained he had already given his word but if the first customer didn’t come and get it, he would have first chance at it.
Just after that conversation a third customer called. Joe explained the situation and that customer offered Joe $14k cash if he would sell it to him.
Here he was standing to make $2k in cash more if he would go back on his word. But Joe told him if either of the first 2 didn’t buy it he would be next in line.

Joe called the first costomer to double check weather he was still going to buy it. “well, he said,
“I been thinking….would it be OK if I let u sell it to someone else?”
“No problem” Joe answered.
and now Joe had an opportunity. He could skip the 2nd customer who would never had known the difference and go straight for the 14K cash.
But, he gave his word.
So he called up the second customer and said, “its yours.” The customer showed up walked around the truck and said, “I guess I don’t want it after all.”
So, Joe was able to sell it to the last customer in the end. He had his profit, and he had his integrity all the way.
In the end Joe kept his word.
“I will always remember the lesson I learned that day. That if you stick to you’re commitment God will bless it. It may not be a blessing you will always see dramatically like the extra money from the truck but there will be a blessing from God.”
Joe finished off with “That’s one thing that the up and coming generations seem to miss. The since of loyalty and commitment. The willingness to trust that God will bless us even when the grass is greener on the other side.”

What is it that you have been tempted with? What commitments have you been considering going back on? The Challenger here is this, to stick with them and search for God’s blessing in your commitment.

In Matthew 5:33-37 (NIV) it says,
” “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

In Matthew 6:33 (NIV) it says,
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The Bi-polar Pastor

“Oh man, I’m so worried about it.”
“But your not supposed to worry.”
“But I’m worried.”
“But your supposed to trust, and rely on God.”
“I know, your right, I’ll do that.”
And I’m good for about 15 minutes…till it comes up again and the conversation repeats itself in my inmost being.  Then, I worry.
I don’t know about anyone else in ministry, but that’s about the way my heart talks with itself when difficult thoughts come up.  Those times where I am at the top of my game, are the times where I let the trust win.  The times where I fall apart are where I let my stomach turn to knots.
In ministry, there seems to be so many week spots to see and think about.
There are people week spots in the church.
There are talent week spots in the church.
There are faith week spots in the church.
There are commitment week spots in the church.
There are cultural week spots in the church.

There are relationship week spots in the church.

There are leadership week spots in the church.

Then, there are “My” week spots that i bring into the church.

Sitting in leadership, along side this unruly bunch called the church…I see the task God gives us and have that conversation.
“Oh man…how are “we” going to reach people for Jesus in this community before they are lost? How are we going to attract them? How are we going to lead and disciple them?”

It’s a project larger than us. It’s a task out of our league. It’s a daunting thought if it were left up to my talent, my ability, and the talent and ability of this church.”   Good thing it’s not.

Preaching through the book of Exodus this year has really helped me learn that lesson.  I have seen, as God redeemed the people of Israel by his power.  I have seen, How He sustained and provided by His power. I have seen how He created them to be His people and His special treasure by His power. And I have been reminded that my part in it…is to do my best to be obedient, to trust in His presence, to rest in His Power, and He will do His part.
He will redeem us. He will seek and find through us. He will grow His church. He will carry us.

In Matthew 16:18 (NIV) it says,
“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

In Exodus 19:4 (NIV) it says,
“‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”