Commitment is a big word these days. Mostly, it seems to be from the fact that so many people seem to be without commitment. We see it in many different ways. A couple doesn't want to be committed to one another, so they call their life together a time to "try things out". People don't choose to be part of various activities, such as ministries, because they don't want to be committed to something out of fear that they won't be able to get out, or will be made to feel extremely guilty if they do try to get out. And these are just a few examples.
I've been thinking that this is very interesting. Could it be that, in our day and age, there are few things that people really want to be committed to simply because they don't see how their involvement makes a big difference? About 50 years ago, thousands of people committed themselves to various marches to secure freedom and equal rights for people of differing skin colors. During that same time, many people committed themselves to fighting against participation in a war that they didn't support.
Think about recent events in the life of our country. What has been there for us to really commit ourselves to? Sure, quite a few people "committed" themselves to occupy Wall Street or other streets throughout the US, but were many of those committed, or were they just looking for a reason to not go to work or school? How many people seem to be truly committed to political people?
Could it be that the lack of commitment comes because these things just don't seem to make a difference anymore? In some backward-seeming way, could it be that we as a people don't commit simply because we don't see the hope that is offered in the various ventures in which we could be committed?
Sadly, this is greatly present in the Christian Church and its various ministries and auxiliaries, as well. Could it be that the Christian message has become more about engaging in politics or telling people what is right and wrong rather than painting a picture of hope for this world and beyond? It seems that people are more likely to become committed to something that offers hope for the future, hope for change, hope that things will be better.
The fundamental message of the Christian faith is that God is indeed working to bring about hope and a better future. It's not something that will be realized in this world, but does give us a picture of a perfect life beyond this world, one which is open to all who put their faith in Christ Jesus. In an age of hopelessness and lack of commitment, maybe the thing that is needed is to paint the picture that things will not always be as they are now. There is hope for the future, and the people of this world can be part of that hope. Maybe that hope in the One who was lifted up to draw all people to Himself can once again draw people to Christ and give a great sense of hope to many who are floundering in their hope and their commitment.
I've been thinking that this is very interesting. Could it be that, in our day and age, there are few things that people really want to be committed to simply because they don't see how their involvement makes a big difference? About 50 years ago, thousands of people committed themselves to various marches to secure freedom and equal rights for people of differing skin colors. During that same time, many people committed themselves to fighting against participation in a war that they didn't support.
Think about recent events in the life of our country. What has been there for us to really commit ourselves to? Sure, quite a few people "committed" themselves to occupy Wall Street or other streets throughout the US, but were many of those committed, or were they just looking for a reason to not go to work or school? How many people seem to be truly committed to political people?
Could it be that the lack of commitment comes because these things just don't seem to make a difference anymore? In some backward-seeming way, could it be that we as a people don't commit simply because we don't see the hope that is offered in the various ventures in which we could be committed?
Sadly, this is greatly present in the Christian Church and its various ministries and auxiliaries, as well. Could it be that the Christian message has become more about engaging in politics or telling people what is right and wrong rather than painting a picture of hope for this world and beyond? It seems that people are more likely to become committed to something that offers hope for the future, hope for change, hope that things will be better.
The fundamental message of the Christian faith is that God is indeed working to bring about hope and a better future. It's not something that will be realized in this world, but does give us a picture of a perfect life beyond this world, one which is open to all who put their faith in Christ Jesus. In an age of hopelessness and lack of commitment, maybe the thing that is needed is to paint the picture that things will not always be as they are now. There is hope for the future, and the people of this world can be part of that hope. Maybe that hope in the One who was lifted up to draw all people to Himself can once again draw people to Christ and give a great sense of hope to many who are floundering in their hope and their commitment.
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