One of the biggest reasons people are not moving forward in life is their lack of commitment. Commitment is something we put our heart into accomplishing and will pursue until it is done, no matter how difficult it may be. People have wonderful New Year resolutions but fail to follow through because there is a lack of commitment. They easily give up when it becomes too difficult or laborious to accomplish their goals. When we are not committed, we can easily wander around like a boat without direction. If we are only looking for an easy way out and unwilling to face difficulties, we will not grow and will not be strengthened. When hardship and difficulties in life come, we will easily give in to despair and depression.
During the Thanksgiving holiday, I had the opportunity to go to the Dallas Holocaust Museum, and I was touched by the testimonies of the Holocaust survivors. All of them had suffered horribly in the concentration camps. They were starved and mistreated inhumanely. Millions of them died by executions and in gas chambers. Others gave up and died, but those who survived were committed to living against all atrocities. They never gave up. Their commitment to live and the hope of freedom kept them alive. When the allied forces finally defeated the Nazis and the people in the concentration camps were liberated, the survivors barely survived. They lost their families and did not have a place to return to. Everything that they had has been destroyed. They had to start all over again. But since they were committed to getting back in life, they worked whatever they could find. Many went to academic and/or training schools to learn new skills. As a result, many became successful in life. They became dentists, doctors, lawyers, business owners, etc. The survivors survived and became successful because they were committed no matter how difficult life was.
God wants us to be committed in this New Year. Let us commit ourselves to God as we make commitments. Let us not succumb to despair but make a fresh commitment and follow through no matter how challenging it may be. God has given us a brand New Year to give us a chance to experience Him through life. Let us be committed.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully and meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speaks to you). Am I willing to be committed this year? What happens when I commit my life to God? What happens when I am committed to accomplishing my goal?
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for this New Year. I pray that you will help me to be committed and not easily give up when life is difficult. Please help me to rely on your goodness, love, and strength to pursue my fresh commitments. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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