COMMITTED
This is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return. 2 Timothy 1:12 NLT
There is committed and committed. Some days I am not exactly sure which one I am. On one hand I am fully committed to following Christ and (should I dare say it?) suffer for Him, and then on the other hand, I think I should be committed into an institution for even thinking it.
Paul spent time in prisons. Multiple ones. He was miraculously released, he was incarcerated for months, even years. He even shares that it was for God’s glory that he was (Philippians 1:12-14). He suffered untold agonies not only physically, but by betrayal, hunger, shipwreck, and so much more.
And yet he wrote about joy. Contentment. Trust. Commitment. Hope. Love. Endurance. Tenderhearted mercy.
Most of these character qualities were written about while he was in prison.
Can the same be said of me? Of you?
Do I rejoice knowing I am suffering, day after day with pain and affliction? Am I glad to trust God even when I do not see a way out, solution, help? Can we know that God does indeed guard us?
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:7 – Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard (keep, watch, protect) your hearts and minds, as you live in Christ Jesus.
Paul entrusted his life to God. He committed his entire self to the safekeeping of God. And he points out to us that it is God’s peace that guards. Who is this peace?
Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
God is guarding us with His Son; His precious Son who cares deeply for us. Who loves us, and died for us. And God is a promise keeper. If He says He guards and keeps, then He guards and keeps. I can trust Him.
Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NLT
We are called to commit our actions, our comings and goings. Our lives; because our lives are made up of activities. Everything we do is motion, even though we might be still on the outside, we are still thinking, believing and trusting on the inside (the opposite is true as well).
The promise is sure – our plans will succeed. Do they? Always?
I think we should redefine succeed.
In the flesh, success is my way every time. The measure of success is seen by a trophy, financial gain, good health, beautiful family, etc.
God measures success quite differently. He desires that we please Him. He wants a relationship with Him. Faith pleases Him. Looking more like His Son – He longs for us to be more like Jesus so it is hard to determine where we leave off and Jesus picks up.
By committing my life to Jesus, I trust Him to do the impossible – take this flesh-loving sinner and make me pleasing to God. Folks, this is a monumental task and one that Jesus is capable of doing.
But.
There’s always a but.
He needs me to be willing. He needs me to submit. Obey. Trust. Commit.
Honestly, I was lacking.
Today, Lord, I repent and ask You to take over. I trust You and I commit myself, my desires, my health and my family to You. You guard and keep that which I have committed to You – I commit this list, and even more, to You. I do surrender all. I lay myself on the altar as a living sacrifice. In the loving Name of Your Son, Jesus. AMEN
