Commitment - Do What Is Right
Walking the laps at the local gym sometimes (not always) reminds me of those high school days when practicing on the baseball or football teams. That was a long time ago, so I don’t think of that many times.
But as you will read more below in this message, Commitment - Do What is Right”, I trust your memory banks might be woken up for times of remembrance for you.
Before I pulled out of the drive to come to the gym, the Holy Spirit had me stop and go get one of my books. The young black man at the gym reception desk, Benjie, (“Benjamin” he said when I asked how he wanted it autographed when I saw him) might just read it. All Men Rise Up!
Be blessed, encouraged, and know more the love of our Lord today.
COMMITMENT- DO WHAT IS RIGHT
“Don’t stop. When you get to third base keep running!”
I am sure my Columbus High School baseball coach in Waterloo, Iowa, Brian “Duke” Dutkowski, yelled this a few times, wildly waving his arm in a circular motion as each of us ran the bases in practice.
And when it came to “game time” we already knew what to do. Keep running.
(It paid off. In 1971-1972 in my junior year, we went to the state finals. Though we lost the semi-final game 1-0 to the eventual champion.)
Being trained in the way we should go does not start the moment the game has already begun. Then it is too late. It must start long before, during the training season. When you have time to get it right.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
And then you are prepared to play properly when the umpire yells, “Play ball!”
Commitment must start at the beginning. It is extremely hard to change course in the middle of the crucial game, strategic battle, or when an unforeseen circumstance occurs at home, when the pressure is applied. Especially when you are unprepared, or non-committal.
The biblical writer of Hebrews tells us correctly.
“So watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as God’s still calling it Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul.” Hebrews 3:12-14, The Message
“Keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with.” Heed that word. Keep it close to your heart and in your spirit.
If we learn to do right at the start, when the time comes to apply the right choice, it will be done.
Commitment. Do what is right.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
