Commitment

When Lou Holtz was serving as head football coach at Arkansas, he was contacted by Ohio State and offered the job of head coach for the Buckeyes. When he turned down the offer a reporter asked, “I understand that they’ve telephoned you about coming to Ohio State and offered you the job?” Holtz replied, “Yes, they have, but I’m not going.” “But it’s your life’s ambition,” said the interviewer. “You’ve always wanted to do it. You’ve got the opportunity. Why aren’t you going?” Holtz responded, “Because I have a commitment to Arkansas.” Almost daily we read of some professional athlete who is “holding out” and will not show up unless the owners renegotiate his contract. Did it not mean anything when he agreed to play a certain number of years for a specified sum? What has happened to commitment?

Commitment involves such things as dedication, resolve, unselfishness, and zeal. The word means “to put into charge or trust, to entrust.” When people are committed, they give themselves completely. They honor their promises. They fulfill their obligations. They do not give up. They do not violate their trust. Quitters are uncommitted. A lack of commitment is responsible for the failure of many young people to finish their education. Many marriages crumble because one or both parties are uncommitted. And, folks often leave the church because they are not committed.

There are many examples of commitment in the New Testament. Stephanas and his family were addicted to the ministry of Christ (1 Corinthians 16:15). Jason and his friends turned the world upside down for Jesus (Acts 17:6). Stephen died praying for his executioners (Acts 7:60). Epaphroditus jeopardized his own health in the service of Christ (Philippians 2:30). Paul turned his back on everything the world values to follow Jesus (Philippians 3:7-8). Christ, himself, went to the cross for us. The committed do not ask, “How much will it cost us?” They only want to know, “How much can we give?”

Make a commitment and stick to it. Finish your education. Make your marriage work. Serve your Lord faithfully. You will not regret your commitments, but you will regret forever your failure to honor them.