To What Are You Committed?

Everyone is committed to something. For each of us it varies. The field of options is wide open. You could be committed to a hobby, a sport, an exercise routine, a job, an educational pursuit, your family, your church family, or practically anything. Some are much better than others, of course. Being committed to sugar, a drug, alcohol, tobacco, pornography, illicit sex, or something similar is not. On the other hand, being committed to your family, church family, spiritual growth, godliness, and the like honors God and blesses you. Yet, we also realize that being overcommitted to even good things can, at times, become idolatrous. Therefore, it is a good practice to ask yourself, To What Are You Committed?

I was reminded of this last night. Let me drop the featured picture above into the post one more time for you to glance as it. What do you notice?

What did you see?

I took this picture last night while out with my son. The snow was falling, the temperature was dropping, and things were beginning to deteriorate weather-wise. But, what do you see? This parking lot was full. And, we were not at a grocery store; instead, we are at a gym where youth leagues were playing each other in basketball. As a coach who helps with my son’s 6th grade team, once we were inside, I also noticed that every one of our players made it. The other team showed up as well. Not just ours, but in our one hour of ball, three other courts or six other teams also were there. This was true for the hour we played, plus the hour before and two hours afterwards.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph, rain, sleet, nor snow slowed these families and teams down.

Why? Because each family was committed to their child’s sport and league more than staying home protected from the weather.

How would this picture change?

Yes, I am going to go there. If this were a grocery store, possibly the picture would not change much.

But, what if this were a church parking lot on a Sunday morning or Sunday night at a local church with the same weather conditions?

Yikes.

I imagine your guess is as good as mine, but I would suggest you might not have to park as far away from the building because of a packed lot. Instead, people might not be as eager to get out.

All things are not equal, however. These vehicles in the picture above represent families primarily in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. Most older grandparents were not watching the kids play last night, which is different than normal.

In many churches, the crowd would be less because many folks are older. Plus, the 30s, 40s, and 50s-year-olds might not be there on the pretty day as well.

Commitment matters!

Both on Sunday mornings and every other time of the week, what you are committed to matters. Your commitment level demonstrates what is important to you. Of course, a basketball league is not wrong, sinful, or blatantly unwise. We saw other church members at the same venue with their children. I’m sure people were other places just as important or more important as well. The point is not the activity or this particular place. The point is… we do whatever it is to which we are committed.

If you are committed to having your children’s schooling, your life demonstrates it. Likewise, if you are committed to your child’s sports, your life demonstrates it. Plus, if you are committed to your child’s spiritual wellbeing, spiritual growth, and eternal future, you life will also demonstrate it.

The problem is when we allow others hobbies, cares, interests, or responsibilities distract us from what we should be truly committed.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Eph 1:3)

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Col 3:1-4)

Last night proved to be a great reminder to me and an opportunity for me to ask myself, “To what am I committed?”