The fulfilment of Love - Commitment (Part 2)
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
Commitment to me means sticking to the decision we've made after choosing to love. When we commit to each other, we continually make decisions to say yes to love and growth. Commitment allows love to sprout, grow, and mature, just as planting does.
The first time I attended my current church, I was startled by this rule.
"We agree to commit and prioritize the house church (small group) to meet weekly, please confirm by replying to this email.” What an odd rule! I was reluctant to say yes as a newcomer and I kept saying yes for over a decade and even became the leader who adhered to this rule. This rule allowed me to experience the most rewarding and significant relationships and experiences on my faith journey, the power of commitment. I've started to take my faith and commitment to the church seriously since I've got people to walk together and be accountable to one another to grow. We eat together and pray for one another regularly, and I have built so many strong, supportive and life-changing relationships over these years that I cannot be who I am today without their love and support.
Commitment isn't easy and requires wisdom and maturity. Often, people are pressured into committing to a person or a task that they don't want to do because they have commitment issues or commitment guilt. Some people who have commitment issues struggle with emotional attachments due to their upbringing and relationship history, while others who crave connection and validation may rush into commitments.
Relationship commitments, in particular, are not something we can engage at high speeds, and friendships take time to grow. Not all relationships last a lifetime, and some are for a season. It's important to know when to hold on and when to let go.
The one thing we can always commit to is Jesus, because He is the most committed person. Even when we are unfaithful to Him, He is still faithful to us. He will empower us to commit to our spouse, church, and other relationships, as well as our own healing journey. He will help us lay down our lives to follow Him. Additionally, Jesus can heal our wounds, so we can naturally flow commitment into our relationships and grow organically.
Whenever we are, let God's love guide us to understand how He is developing our understanding of commitment. Jesus is committed to loving and healing us forever.
Blessing prayer: Jesus, we choose to love and commit to you and we thank you for your faithfulness in spite of our faithlessness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
