In this present day I don’t believe people, and especially young people, understand the definition of commitment. Whether it’s commitment to a job, a marriage relationship, family, church involvement, or just a social obligation, we have failed to teach young people the value, responsibility, and discipline of commitment. Many live by the concept of I deserve to be happy. It’s all about me, me, me and I, I, I. In fact, while we were traveling recently with the radio on a country music station, a song came on. The main topic of the song was a man who was tired of the conversations with his wife always being about her and all she was doing. He says that every once in a while “why can’t it be about me, me, me!” When we have the mindset of deserve to be happy, then “I” is the center of our attention. So if a commitment helps me, I am committed, but if not, forget it! As a result of this, we have a society with lazy, depressed, wandering, dissatisfied, divorced, uncommitted young people.
This prevalent cultural lie that we deserve to be happy has cost many their marriage, their career, their family, and their peace of mind. Sooner or later they end up discovering that living for self and for ones’ own happiness is unfulfilling and really quite lonely!
In many cases I think what is lacking are examples of commitment. The current generation looks around to see parents seeking to be happy by running after money, another mate, new cars, vacation homes, and fun. If you look back a couple of generations, you will find incredible examples of commitment and just what it means to be committed to the point of sacrifice.
I visited my mother-in-law recently in the assistant living facility in which she’s currently living. I walked alongside her wheelchair as the young male attendant pushed her toward the dining room. As we waited in the hall while they prepared a place, I began to observe an older couple seated at the back corner table. The man had pulled a dining chair alongside his wife’s wheelchair and was gently feeding her bite after bite of her lunch; her arms resting on her wheelchair unable to lift a utensil. As I watched I thought about the word commitment. I thought about the vows we so glibly repeat on our wedding day giving little thought to fulfilling them.
This gentle elderly man committed to the love of his life; fulfilling the vows and commitment he had made years before. “In sickness and in health, till death do us part.” What a visual of a sweet commitment.
The Webster’s Dictionary definition of the word commitment is “the act of committing, the agreement to do something in the future.” I think of Christ and His commitment; He fulfilled the commitment the Father had for him on earth. I think of my grandparents who remained committed to one another through the death of their 11 year old son. I think of the commitment of my parents over the years of trials, disappointments, and hardships. Then, my in-laws who remained committed to one another for almost 50 years, until he died at the age of 69. All of these and so many more have set an example for me of just what commitment means; for each one, I am grateful.
Perhaps, if you and I would set the example for the young people who are watching they would know what true commitment looks like and just how sweet it can be!
Father, I want to be a woman of commitment, following through on all my commitments. Help me to be faithful to my commitment. May my life be one of faithfulness to commitment to You first, Mark and my family second, and then others; that those who are watching might know what true commitment looks like. Father, You are glorified in our lives when we are faithful to Your word and faithful to our commitments.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14b
“If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Matthew 10:38
“This is what the Lord says, ‘I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the wilderness.’” Psalms 2:1
dianne