5 BE’s of Commitment

To commit or not to commit? IS that the question? For most of us, it’s definitely not that black and white. If you google the word “commitment”, you’ll find something like this:

commitment: noun
1. the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.
2. an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.

Is it just me, or do those two meanings in themselves seem in conflict? Dedicated vs restricted seem like opposite feelings. I’m committed to my sweet wife, Kelly. She’s the love of my life, and I’d choose her over and over again! I’m dedicated to her - for LIFE - and happy about it! Most of us have people or things that we are dedicated to. We’re committed. I’m currently training with a group of people to run the Chicago Marathon for Team World Vision to help raise money for life-changing clean water for people in developing countries. We’re committed to train. We’re committed to run. We’re committed to the cause. We’re committed to each other because we’re in it together!

Dedicated feels good, doesn’t it? Restricted? Not so good. Do I like to think of myself as “restricted” because I’m married to Kelly? Do I like to think of myself as restricted because I’ve promised to run this huge race this year? The word just feels negative.

But what if we change our view of that second definition? What if instead of restricted, we choose to think of it as intentional? Intentional helps me think of my commitments as clear choices I’m making - for my good, for Kelly’s good, for the good of all of those people that I will probably never meet who will receive clean water because of Team World Vision. Intentional reminds me of Who is in charge of my life, and why I make daily choices to obey and honor Him. I choose to follow Jesus because I believe in Him, love Him, and want HIS best for my life.

So how do we become intentional and commit to the things that really matter in life?

1. Be Determined
   Make smart choices, and stick to them. Do what you say you’re going to do, no matter how you feel. The smartest decisions I’ve made in life were to follow Jesus and to marry Kelly. You better believe I’m sticking to them!

2. Be With the Right People
   Surround yourself with people who will encourage you, sharpen you, and who will push you to go further. Be with people who are going in the same direction, and who will tell you when you’re going the wrong way. You’ll go farther when you have the right people with you.

3. Be Decisive
   Make goals, then do what it takes to reach them. Do the work. Do it when you feel like it, AND do it when you don’t.

4. Be Self Aware
   Know your strengths, and use them. They are valuable and can push you forward. Equally important? Know your weaknesses. If you know where you are NOT strong, you can help keep those weaknesses from derailing you and bring others along to help strengthen you in those areas..

5. Be a Learner
   When we commit to something, it means sticking with it - BUT it should not mean staying in the same place. The more you learn about someone or something, the more you will know and invest in that person, thing or activity.

My life is better in so many ways because of commitments that I’ve made, and stuck to. Let’s BE intentional together!

Watch Mission Church’s Message About Commitment

Find out how YOU can support Team Word Vision!