Involved or Committed?

"Consider bacon and eggs. The chicken is involved, but the pig is committed."

-My Uncle Andy from Texas

Involved

It's so easy to be involved in things, especially as a Christian. I have been involved in many ministries through the years: Women's, Children's, Prison, Youth, etc.

But what got me about my Uncle's little saying was the word "committed". 

As Christians, we tend to want to be involved in so many things at church. Involved to help out, or to be around our friends, or to meet new friends. 

However, we are called to be committed. 

Thirsty

It was warm out yesterday in Phoenix. Warm in January is a good thing! We had bright sunny blue skies and nice pleasant cool air. So nice to sit and relax in such weather. 

But when you are running 26.2 miles in such warm weather, it's a whole different story!

To help with the warm temps, the marathon event planners had young men out along the path with hoses blasting the runners with a cool mist of water as we ran by. The icy water felt so good on our exposed skin as we ran through the mist. 

And the thirst for water! Oh, how thirsty I was at every water/Gatorade station! I knew I was on the verge of becoming dangerously dehydrated, so I forced myself to drink and I took salt capsules. The water tasted good and satisfied for a while...but then the thirst returned. 

I wanted to quit at mile 23. My body gave out. I had to sit down for a couple of minutes and PRAY hard for strength. I wanted to quit, but I didn't. The Lord heard my prayer and gave me strength. 

The guys spraying us with water were involved, but we runners were committed. 

See the difference? 

Jesus said:

“Whoever drinks of this (earthly)water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14

God wants us to thirst for His righteousness as we thirst for water on a hot day. He wants us to feel the pain of commitment toward Him...the pain that makes us yearn to quit. The pain that makes one more step feel impossible!

And through Him we can continue. 

Through Him, we finish the race!

Committed

As this year begins, I prayed and asked the Lord to place me where He wants me to be in service to Him. I long to serve Him, but need to know where He wants me. So, I pray and then I wait for His answer. 

Tempted as it is to run ahead and hope to find Him there, I won't. I will wait. 

I will thirst for Him as I did for that water yesterday!

And I will pray about not just being involved, but committed to Him in every way.

Thank You, Lord. 

Your Turn: How are you involved in serving the Lord? How are you committed to Him? 

Blessings,

Ruth