Commitment

Daily Gratitude Year 4-Day 157: Today, I am grateful commitment matters.

This is a season of weddings.  We have many anniversaries and weddings in May and June. We are not alone. I love weddings and anniversaries. 

Weddings and anniversaries make a clear statement. They give a message of love. They recognize the power commitment has over imperfect people. It is why inviting God to the wedding is nice... but it is key to include Him in the the marriage. At the center is best. 

This "wow" of an unaccredited quote I found on Pinterest. 

"You cannot pray for an "A" on a test and study for a "B" You cannot pray for a faithful relationship and live an unfaithful life. Moral of the story: You cannot pray for something and act less. Don't question my God and His abilities when you actions don't match your prayers."

I have no idea who to credit with this quote. If you do, please let me know.  It speaks so well to one of my favorite thoughts on prayer. There are times we take a  "genie in a lamp" approach to God with our prayers...saving our three big wishes for what matters most.  In doing so, we completely miss the boat. 

God doesn't want to be distant and unbothered. He wants to be present, active and engaged in our daily tasks...and the ordinary days and the stuff of living. He still wants to walk with us in the garden. He does not change. He said so:

I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. -Malachi 3:6  

He is still seeking to restore the relationship that sin, pride and arrogance threw away so many years ago.

We can so easily miss that God has communicated clearly over thousands of years. He wants a relationship with us...not our wishes. He wants to be with us (Emmanuel), to walk with us, to talk with us, to hear our thoughts (even the ugly ones) and to be present and sovereign in our day to day living. 

He answers our prayers in the context of relationship...a sincere, real and amazing relationship. God knows the cries of his children and answers their prayers. He longs for all to be His children. Many want nothing to do with Him until they need a miracle. 

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.-Psalm 37:5

Yes... it says commit and trust. Then...he will act. 

COMMIT YOUR WAY...every day, not just when we want something.

TO THE LORD ...How and with whom we spend our time is the evidence of commitment.

TRUST IN HIM...with childlike faith and knowing he sees what we do not see.

THEN...Yes, commit and trust are prerequisites. 

HE WILL ACT...It is who he is. He is a good, good father. 

This simple, powerful little passage comes right out of the Psalms. We can all memorize it. Living it isn't quite as easy, due to free will, but remember...that  our free will and choosing him back is what make us precious and treasured.  All are welcome...but not all will choose. 

He isn't looking for perfection. He didn't create us perfect. He created us in his image, but with the unique power of choice. He didn't want drones...or even clones. He wants us to be "His Beloved"...called, committed and consecrated.  Sweet intimacy. 

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. -Romans 8:6-8

He knows we were born "in the flesh." He created us that way ...with a hole in our soul. It is a God shaped hole that only he can fill to perfection and make whole. We are and will continue to be empty until He is invited in to fill the missing piece.  We can try other things..but they are never quite right. The soul hole craves Him. 

He courageously created us with the power to choose him or reject him. Some reject him with big, newsworthy and terrible evil ways (watch the news or cable TV for evidence). Others...sadly... will simply neglect the small voice of the Savior calling their name. Some earthly pleasure or desire will be their God. 

A hardened heart will ignore the truth. It will not open when the Holy Spirit knocks. It will lash out. It will ignore. It will run. It is a life of running and sadness...with a deep, empty that no amount of wealth and stuff can fill. 

The Earworm is awake and singing. It is that old Amy Grant song I have shared before.  It is not well known but a favorite of mine. You will love the rhythm. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK8Dndr-x_Y 

"He sold himself to buy your life and he wants to make it right." He is willing to make a perfect commitment to our imperfection. His crazy love, again, amazes me! He gave us the example of marriage so we would better understand a perfect love for an imperfect person. 

Today, I am grateful commitment matters.