Today we will explore commitment, the third of four dynamics involved in reigniting passion for your walk of faith.

 On Scout Sunday, Steve Simpson shared a Greek proverb which illustrates the conviction of commitment. It goes like this:
 
Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.
 
This proverb runs In the face of our culture. In our I want it now immediate gratification culture, why would I do something that I might not enjoy immediately or I might have to make a sacrifice?
 
Thank goodness JCPC supports Scouting programs that don't buy into this nonsense. One of the greatest experiences you can have in life is to commit yourself to somebody or somebodies who are not yourself and the process involves sacrifice.
 
Scott Stanley writes about the power of commitment and he identifies dedicated commitment as the bond that makes relationships great. He says that dedicated commitment looks to the future with a sense of us and finds great satisfaction in sacrificing for this future. This sounds a lot like the inaugural speech of President John F. Kennedy when he challenged the nation,  Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!  Commitment moves us beyond our own wants and needs to bond us to something or someone we want to share our future with and we are willing to make the sacrifices necessary.
 
During our capital campaign, I have heard many in our congregation share visions of the future that have this form of dedicated commitment as the foundation. JCPC remains dedicated to ministering to our community and the world. Jesus commanded his disciples (that includes you and me)
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. -John 13: 34.
 
This type of love, sacrificial love, requires commitment. As Paul said to the Corinthian Church, go after love as if your life depends on it...because it does!
 
Prayer for Today
 
Loving God, you call us to be followers of Christ, May we dedicate our lives to his service so that people will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, so they will know we are Christians by our love. Amen.