Scary Words

Commitment.

Do you shy away a little bit when you hear it? It's a word that implies discipline and self-denial, and generally speaking, those are things that we don't like. Commitment likes to get in the way of our comfort and pleasure. And those are things that we do like.

Yet if we want to live our lives to the fullest, commitment is inescapable. When Christ calls us to follow him, He's not just calling us to sporadically pray and occasionally think of Him.

He's calling us to commit every moment of every day to His service. He's calling us to commit our lives to Him, no matter how much we have to sacrifice.

But though this is a commitment, it's hardly a restriction. Total commitment to Christ is what frees us. It's only through giving ourselves wholly to Him that we can do things with the charity that makes every action worthwhile. Commitment to Christ is a casting off of chains and an opening of the door to eternal bliss.

Commitment does require discipline and self-denial. It's uncomfortable at times. But it's so, so worth it. We sacrifice pleasure; but in return we have joy. We sacrifice comfort; but in return we have love.

We need to commit ourselves to Christ, to be willing to give up all others things for His sake, and we need to recommit every day, so our hearts will remain open to receive and give His love.

It's a scary word. But the reality of "committed to Christ" is that it's the safest and loveliest place to be.