READY
“‘. . . If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.’” — John 15:20b
SET
Growing up as a kid, I connected with a lot of different things. I connected with clubs and groups at school because my friends were involved, so I committed to joining. I connected with workouts and routines because they made being healthy fun, so I committed to attending. I even connected with a tutoring group and committed to studying with them! However, when I was tired, had a lot of homework, or just had a long day, I would skip out on those commitments. When my father noticed my skipping, he pulled me to the side and said, “Once you commit, you stay committed, especially when it gets hard.”
When we first connect with God, we feel excitement, similar to how I felt when I connected as a kid. When we follow Christ, we feel His love and are encouraged by His word, but we also begin to cultivate His character and choose to love others! Committing to Christ is great!
Commiting to Christ becomes hard when we get left out of things, get made fun of, face temptation, feel rejected or like we do not belong. It would be easy to throw in the towel, walk away, and commit to an easier way of life that is found in the world.
However, Jesus meets us in these hard moments, just as my father met me when I was young. He speaks clearly, “If they persecute me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Jesus is teaching His disciples and us today that commitment to Him is commitment to a cost. Committing to Christ may cost us friends, popularity, money, possessions and maybe even our lives. However, when we commit to Jesus and remain in Him we are assured of life in Heaven and the “crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
The cost is great, but committing to being beside Jesus from the beginning, is even greater.
GO
Have you committed to following Jesus?
Has there been a cost to following Jesus?
What helps you not give up on your commitment to Jesus?
WORKOUT
OVERTIME
“God, I commit to You. I want to be all in for Your kingdom. I pray You help me abide in You, becoming more like You. Help me not waiver in my love for You, for others, or for the gospel. Help me stay committed, especially when it gets hard, so I can be an example to others when they struggle to stay committed. In Jesus’ name, amen.”