DAILY DROPS ABOUT COMMITMENT

A few more drops of Living Water.... about commitment.

Yesterday I shared with you from the text Ezra10:4 "Rise up...take courage and do it."  Today I would like to include a few more excerpts from that devotional writing because I can't say it any better and I don't want to be guilty of plagiarism.  So I will quote the thoughts that stood out to me.  "Commitment is a willingness to do whatever it takes; it's a promise to yourself, from which you refuse to back down.  There's a difference between interest and commitment.  When you're interested you do it only when it's convenient, but when you're committed you accept no excuses--only results....Commitment means paying your dues.  It also means disregarding your critics.  Jesus did that."  Think about those lines; digest them.  It truly lays a clear difference between the things we will do over the long term and the multitudinous interests we may pursue along the way and just as quickly leave behind.

So what is it that is defined by the above characteristics in your life?  All of us probably have a few things we can say that we have carried out in that fashion.  For me, when I returned to the field of Academia and got my GED at 40 it was the beginning of an adventure that I feel very good about today.  After obtaining that long delayed certificate of completion, I then applied for college and put my nose to the grindstone for the next three and a half years.  It was hard, but I was committed and I did what it took and one day I walked across that stage to receive the long awaited reward.

Later I went back and obtained my Masters degree at age 50.  That was even harder and there were times when I thought I wouldn't make it.  Talk about events to distract you from your goal - my precious mother died during those years after a sickness of two years.  I was privileged to take off from school and spend her last days with her.  One priority over ruled the other.  I did, however, return to complete that degree and it is still a wonderful sense of accomplishment to me.  Besides I think Mom is pretty proud of me too.

Following graduation, a whole new life began for me and for the first time I felt that I was able to do what I was created to do in this life.  God called on me to start a women's ministry from nothing.  Nothing material, that is, but I had Him and He had called me to do it!  That ministry was a profound success!  Were there times when things happened in my life that could have been good reasons to quit?  Yes!  Were there times when I felt like giving up?  You bet!  Were there times when others gave me counsel contrary to what I heard from God.  Sure were!  But because I had heard His call clearly, I was always able to keep going!  I knew it was His will for me up until the time that His will changed.

So, for me, it is about hearing from the Lord regarding His plan for me.  What have you heard from Him?  Where are you with implementing what you heard?  Have you allowed yourself to be sidetracked?  That's OK!  You probably were not ready and you have learned some things since your last attempt!  Do not allow the enemy to convince you that you have missed the boat.  It is too late!  No, if there is life in your body and a longing to do what you heard Him call you to do, it is never too late!


So, today, I rose up and took courage and wrote because I'm sure that is what He wants me to be doing today!  Thanks for reading this blog and as I pray for all of you to be encouraged to reevaluate what you are doing with your time and energy I hope you will be praying for me to continue to respond to His call for me.


Blessings on you and yours today and always,