We can be committed to many things in our lives, some healthy for us and some not so positive. If we commit all of our time to our pastimes and hobbies, which, while pleasurable, doesn’t leave much time for dedicating ourselves to the things that are of particular importance to living a life of substance and integrity.  David Brooks, a columnist and commentator cited four things that lead to a fulfilling life. These are commitment to family, faith, vocation and community.

Commitment isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be very difficult. We see many failed marriages, people that despise their jobs, many living a life dedicated only to themselves and their perceived needs and of course lack of faith.  Commitment to faith, unlike the other items, can be difficult since it is something intangible. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the assurance of things not seen. (Hebrew 11:1).

Actually, the fact that it was our anniversary this week made me think of the idea of commitment for this blog. Thirty-eight years ago this week, my husband and I were married in a snow storm in Wyoming surrounded by family and friends. While celebrating our anniversary on Thanksgiving Day this year, I gave an extra special thanks for my husband and the commitment we made to each other the day we wed. We both had been married once before and when WE married, we were a little older and luckily, a little more mature. The seriousness of the matrimonial vows made a deeper impact on us to commit to each other (love each other) and make our marriage work which is not always easy as we know.

Commitment to anything takes discipline and hard work. We have to make a conscious effort to love…our family, our work, our community and mostly our Lord. Most Christians are familiar with the love chapter I Corinthians 13 – Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preservers. Love never ends. These are such profound words, wonderful to strive for, but not always easy to abide by because of our sinful human nature.

Let’s be thankful for the unconditional love we receive from God. His love is the reason we can love others so deeply and commit to others, first our Lord who shows us the way to love and then to our families, our communities and our vocations.  Thanks be to God for His perfect example of love and commitment to us.

Patty