Commitment (2)

I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. 1 Corinthians 9:26

Anytime you make a commitment to something, your commitment will be tested in 3 ways:

(1) Experiencing failure.
The greatest challenge to commitment isfailure. Olympic gold medallist Mary Lou Retton says, "Achieving that goal is a good feeling, but to get there you have to get through the failures. You've got to be able to pick yourself up and continue."

(2) Having to stand alone.
When you want to accomplish something people will try to distract you, challenge you or get you to settle for less.It may be unintentional, or it may be because they're worried that if you grow and succeed they'll feel left behind. In those moments you must ask: "Who am I trying to please - God or man? When I stand before God what will I be glad I did now?"

(3) Facing deep disappointment.
When things go wrong, when life gets tough, when the enemy begins to attack, will you be able to carry on?That depends. "On what?" you ask. It depends on your willingness to renew your commitment each day. To keep yourself on track, make a copy of these words by William H. Murray and carry them with you wherever you go:

"The moment one definitely commits one's self, then [Divine]Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would come his way."


Thought of the Day

Jesus doesn't need lawyers.He needs witnesses.

Commitment (3)

Before you commit to something count the cost, otherwise you won't stick with it (See Luke 14:28).
After the Nazis obtained France's surrender,they were certain that victory was at hand. But they underestimated the commitment of Winston Churchill and the British people. Churchill knew what was at stake, as evidenced by his remarks at the time. "The Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation ...Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe maybe free...but if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new dark age...let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say 'This was their finest hour.'"Did victory come easily or without a cost? No, Britain suffered terrible bloodshed and bombing by the Nazis. But they stood. And because they stood, the allies won the war. Their resolve was strong not only because they knew what was at stake - but because they had decided in advance the price they were willing to pay. Understand this: it's virtually impossible to stand by a commitment naively or thoughtlessly made.Commitment only works when you count the cost and agree in advance to pay the price. So, how committed are you?