It's been a few weeks now... since I decided to get back to writing my weekly blog. This is my first one since then. Can anyone say fail? Seriously. I didn't even do it the week I decided to do it! WHY?! Why does this happen?! I'm sure no one out there can understand this predicament ;).
Have you decided to do something that you weren't already doing? In other words, have you had the thought to: work out consistently, eat better, eat less, get up early to pray, spend more time with your spouse, your kids, focusing on the things that matter, work less, etc, etc, etc. It just seems like we all have said many of these things. These things that we just can't seem to get right. Or better yet, things that we honestly want to do, decide to do, but don't do.
There are many books about this, many suggestions, from people much wiser than me. And I'm obviously not someone who has mastered this myself. In my defense, I keep my "commitments". I really do. At least I think I do. But some things apparently aren't commitments to me. Like writing this blog regularly. But why? Why isn't this a big enough deal to be a commitment? Or do I (we) justify the things we don't do by saying they never were commitments. Hmmmm. Much to think about.
And I've been thinking about it as we approach 2013. What "commitments" am I going to make? How about you? Will you keep them? Careful....this is important.
Jesus said we should let our yes be yes, and our no be no. Seems obvious, but it's important to look at. Over history, oaths made to God were super serious. It was basically like saying "I'm going to do this...but to really prove I'm serious, I'm going to tell God I'm going to do this." This is at least how my simple mind sees it. But when Jesus came, which changed a lot of things, he said just back up what you say. Essentially "God is here now, so just do what you say you'll do. That's how you're supposed to live."
So what do we...do? Maybe in the weeks ahead, or even today as you read this, begin to realize that what we commit to doing, we should do. I mean really do it. But that's if we say we'll do it. I know I'm spinning in circles a little here, but maybe we shouldn't say we're going to do so many things. Glance up at the list from earlier. Don't do all of those things! At least, not all at once. Or whatever your personal list is...cut it in half! Pick one or two adjustments/changes/things and do them. Be who Jesus wants you to be. Be someone who keeps their word. Then when those changes become habits/routine, move on to something else.
Btw, I'm not saying don't do anything, because that way you can't break your word. Nice try. There are plenty of teachings in the Bible about all of the things we should be doing, like prayer, eating well, spending time with family, reading our Bible, working hard, etc. And sometimes we need to step out in faith and make a commitment that will be hard to keep. You should do that. But then do everything you can to keep that commitment. Ask God for help. Don't give up. Find accountability before you commit. Don't pretend like there are 25 hours in a day. Be reasonable, while still pushing yourself. Do it.
Above all else, keep your integrity in these matters. Value what you say to yourself, to others, to God.
Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.
See you next week.
