Commitment is what turns young ball players into professional athletes, transforms a local business into a large corporation, keeps families together, and strengthens communities. It also builds strong churches. We know and admire deep commitment whenever we see it. We understand it is more than merely a verbally expressed promise. It is lived through action!

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Athletes, speaking in post-game interviews sometimes say: “We gave our all today. We gave 110 percent.” They may say: “We’ve been preparing for a long time, and today we left it all on the field.” Coaches look for the kid who will give you 110 percent. Such language conveys commitment to success and giving one’s all! Vince Lombardi said: “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” Eddie Robinson, the famed coach of Grambling University said: “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential…these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”

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Consider our service to the Lord. We want and expect commitment, preparation, and effort from our favorite team, but are we willing to give such ourselves for the Lord’s team? Just as coaches expect such from their players, Jesus certainly expects no less from us. Didn’t He say: “If anyone would come after Me, He must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me?” (Matt. 16: 24). On one occasion Peter said to Jesus, “We (apostles) have left (forsaken) everything to follow You” (Matt. 16: 24). We sing a hymn entitled “I Surrender All.” Do we really? Sadly, too many say they are committed but they are not involved. They’re like the Japanese kamikaze pilot who went on thirty suicide missions. He was committed but not involved! What about you my friend? Think on these things.

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Dennis Abernathy