Levels of Commitment Vary

Levels of Commitment

To commit has many different means, depending on the context. If you are committed, you might be fully dedicated. On the other hand, you might be committed to prison or to a mental health facility against your real wishes. Commit might also be a binding contract. For example, I sell covered call options as one way to gain investment income. That is a commitment to sell my shares of the investment in question at a specified price when the contract date arrives. Of course, I’m only committed to sell if the price of the security rises to or above the contract agreement. It isn’t a pinky promise. Pinky promises are often “if convenient” promises.

Pinky Promises

Pinky Promises are often weak commitments.

My favorite form of commitment is the promise. A promise is often given without anything in writing. Unfortunately, many promises are given and are not kept. Sometimes the failure is due to unexpected or unanticipated events that cause failure.

To make a pinky promise, children might lock their pinky fingers to signify that a promise has been made. The gesture is taken to signify that the person can break the finger of the one who broke the promise. I suspect most children don’t really have that level of commitment to their promises.

More than a Pinky Promise: Cross Commitment

Jesus was one who made many commitments. One of the most significant was his commitment to his followers. John 10:11 says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” He made that commitment. He kept that commitment. He keeps his promises.

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

Psalm 37:1-6

A follower of Jesus believes that there is no need to fret or be envious when others seem to gain at their expense. They trust, delight in, and commit their lives to a loving heavenly Father. Psalm 37:1-6 says that God keeps his promises to his people. And he is able to keep his promises. He does keep his promises.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!

For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.