commitment
by Ben Hedgspeth | January 4, 2010
So, looking at 2010, let's be blunt. are you planning on making any real improvements or changes in your spiritual walk? are you planning on spending more time in prayer, Bible study, service to others?
I hope and pray that you are. I really do. But the reality is that most of us, left to our own devices and plans, will gradually if not rapidly, fall away from those plans.
I stopped making new year's resolutions about 10 years ago, because the follow through on personal resolutions is usually pretty slim. Instead, I now have an accountability partner (A.P.) that I meet with every other week. If i just make a promise to myself, it just takes me facing myself to break it. But if I share with my A.P. he can hold my feet to the fire when I slack off. And I 'm glad for it...
Being an active part of a church is also a big factor in making sure you are living up to the standard that Jesus set up for us. We shouldn't be so arrogant to assume that we can get through life on our own, or that we have the ability to handle everything that comes our way. We each know just how weak we are or can be, and so that should be a pretty big motivator for us to get a hand from someone else. There is no shame in admitting that we cannot do everything, or that we have a flaw hiding somewhere inside of us...if we are honest with ourselves, we'll quickly see that we have many flaws, not just one or two.
So, commitment to Church to Jesus and to having some source of outside accountability will help us to grow this year. You'll be surprised just how much change can take place when you make a determined effort with people who love you, and are dealing with their own problems. Church isn't full of a whole bunch of righteous people....and you. Church is full of people who need help & direction just like you, and I, do. We are all flawed, but being perfected daily through the work of Jesus in our lives.
If you are serious about making a change this year, then come join us as we take steps together, hand in hand, to a greater commitment to Jesus and God's kingdom in 2010.