I figured since I qualified as middle aged this year (35) I might as well begin practicing a time honored tradition for those who are getting older.....griping. But I'm not just going to gripe in general, I have a very specific rant and it has to do with commitment, specifically that people just don't honor their commitments anymore or don't want to commit to anything because something better might come along.
It's no surprise we struggle with commitment since we are used to being able to get out of any commitment. Want to join a gym? How about a month free, no commitment necessary. Interested in a new product or service? Try it out for a few weeks, if you don't like it, simply return it at no cost. Even the ultimate commitment, marriage, can easily be backed out of if you decide you are no longer committed to one another.
One of the most frustrating parts of organizing an event or gathering is trying to get people to commit or stay committed. I've noticed when a spiritual/church event is planned and announced and a sign up sheet is put out, the majority wait until the absolute last minute deadline to sign up. I know with young people this is usually due to two factors: is there anything else better going on and who all is going? The trouble with adults isn't usually committing to going, but staying committed when the time actually comes.
These failures to commit or stay committed are just the fruits of our real problem, being uncommitted in our faith. As parents we like to decry the condition of our young people and their faith, when in reality they are simply reflecting ours back to us without the cloak of commitment that we dress our faith in. Does your child volunteer to go to the dentist, take out the trash, mow the lawn, or do laundry? Probably not. I imagine in most households, mom and dad "volunteer" them for these things and then make sure they follow through with them. Sadly, this seldom happens with spiritual matters. A 15 year old may not volunteer to go to a youth day, Bible camp, a singing or devotional anymore than they would volunteer for the dentist, but just like having their teeth cleaned, it's good for them and the parents are probably going to have to take the initiative to see that they go.
Let's face it, right now is most American churches it's all we can do to get the members to show up for regular services and anything beyond that is likely to be met with disappointing attendance. What has happened to our commitment?
Think on these words from the Scriptures concerning commitment. "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." (Proverbs 16:3). "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:5). "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37). Christianity is much more than just a system of beliefs, it is a lifestyle to which we must be fully committed.
