Episode 006: Radiant Commitment
What comes to your mind when you think of the word "commitment"? Solomon prayed in 1 Kings 8:61, “May your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God.”
It sounds like something we all want, to be fully committed to the Lord. Does talking about commitment inspire you? Or Is it an obligation or a task you must perform? Does it give you a sense of resolution or dread?
When my husband and I got married, we soon realized that we were complete opposites. I love staying indoors, reading books, and drinking coffee; he, on the other hand, loves outdoor activities and learning through conversation and experience. After a few years, we realized that to stay committed, we needed to get involved in each other's worlds. We started inviting each other to participate in activities outside of our comfort zones. Who knew that he would be better at ballroom dancing than me, or that golfing could be fun when played off his shots instead of my own? Our commitment to one another became about finding and experiencing joy together.
If you view commitment as an obligation, then whatever you’re committed to will likely fail. On the other hand, if you view commitment as a choice, something you get to do, then your ability to remain steadfast increases.
When commitment is based on a connection rather than an obligation, it is less likely to break down.
As we talk about living radiantly it’s important to understand God’s commitment to us. We are reminded in John 3:16 that God so loved the world, He gave His one and only son. Christmas reminds us of this commitment as we celebrate the birth of our savior. A savior whose commitment to give up his life wasn’t based on what He got out of the deal. Romans 5:8 says while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. His ability to be committed to us was an overflow of staying committed to His purpose and to the Father.
How we make our commitment to God about our attitude rather than about our actions is linked to our connection with Him.
Last year, I experienced the frustration of putting up Christmas lights, only to discover halfway through, the entire string wasn't working. It was quite disappointing. Although it's recommended to test the lights before putting them up, I assumed they'd work just fine since I took them straight out of the box. I paid my teenager to climb up on the roof and put the lights up while Christmas carols played in the background. We had several mother-son bonding moments reminiscent of a Hallmark movie. However, after all our fun, we plugged in the lights to awe the neighborhood, only to find out half of them weren't working. If you ever find yourself in a similar predicament, wire testers are available to help you identify where the strand is disconnected from the power source. Once you repair the connection, all the lights will magically come on. However, it's essential to note that it's much easier to do this before you hang your lights on your house.
So often our relationships, and how we live every day is like the unlit portion of my lights. We need to remember living radiantly depends on our connection to the source of power with our creator.
If we are committed to too many things without staying committed to Him, we will burn out.
Our level of commitment to God is not determined by the number of activities we engage in, but rather by the extent to which we focus on strengthening our connection with Him. God is the ultimate source of our spiritual nourishment, and just like how a river floods and causes the creeks and streams connected to it to become full, our connection to Him overflows into every aspect of our lives.
We need to stay connected to Him and acknowledge the immense power tapping into His strength and wisdom provides.
The Old Testament contains several conquests and land divisions made by the Israelites. However, amidst all these accounts, there are four scriptures about Achsah, who happened to be Caleb's daughter, one of the only two Israelites who left Egypt with Moses and lived to make it into the promised land.
In Joshua 15:16, Caleb, also a prominent spy and warrior for the Israelites, promises his daughter as a reward to the man who can conquer Kirjath-Sepher. Despite the potential emotional turmoil and the possibility of being offered as a trophy, Achsah becomes the wife of Othniel, the victor. What's fascinating is that in verse eighteen, we learn that she convinces her new husband to request a piece of property from her father in addition to receiving her as a bride, perhaps as a dowry. She seeks something that would sustain their lives and the family they would eventually have.
Upon reflection, this stopped me for a moment. Achsah could have simply accepted her place as a new bride, but she wasn't content with that. She recognized the value of her father's possessions and was bold enough to make a request of him.
Do you see the parallel hidden in this story? Like Caleb, Achsah’s father, we have a heavenly father who possesses everything we need, and at times in our lives when change is occurring, all we need to do is ask Him for whatever we need to handle the change. Sometimes we forget God is the source of all we need, particularly when we focus too much on our abilities to accomplish our own purpose and what He might ask of us.
Matthew 7:11 says if we in our imperfection and sinful nature, know how to give good gifts to our children how much more can we expect our heavenly Father to supply when we ask Him?
The story in Joshua continues, and Caleb agrees to give the newlyweds a southern portion of land. However, as events unfolded, Achsah realized the property he gave them could be cut off from water if the northern property owners chose to block the streams. She knew for them to sustain a living they would need a connection to a water source. In a wise move, she asked her father for a blessing, requesting springs of water. Caleb, impressed by her intelligence, granted her request by blessing her with upper springs that would always guarantee water coming down from the mountains, as well as lower springs that would be readily accessible.
Just like Achsah, You and I must realize the importance of staying connected to God, our ultimate source, believing that His power is available in all circumstances.
In John 4, there is another woman's story worth mentioning. Jesus spoke to her and offered her "springs of living water" from a well that would never run dry. This woman, whose name is not mentioned, had spent her life searching for love in all the wrong places. However, the sources she found kept drying up. As she drew water from the well physically, she learned how to quench the thirst within her soul by committing her life to Jesus.
Today, Jesus is offering that same living water to you. All you have to do is ask Him for it. Not just once, but even when you experience situations in life where your joy, strength, or faith seems to be drying up, you can ask for a fresh drink. God will supply it, and just like Caleb did for Achsah, your heavenly Father will reward you with what you need now and what you need in the future. His commitment to you will never run out.
He will satisfy your life completely.
In John 4:14 we read, “Jesus answered and said whoever drinks of the water I shall give him will never thirst, it will become a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
His joy and strength will flow in you and out of you spilling over into every part of your life. Your relationships. Your work. Your ministry.
John 7:38 states, “Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from his heart.
He already paid the price for your peace.
Revelation 22:17 states, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
He will never fail you, there will always be enough to meet your needs.
Isaiah 58:11 “And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
Maintaining a connection with God helps us stay committed even when our emotions and circumstances try to take over. By being first committed to Him, the source of infinite power, we can allow His abundance to overflow into every aspect of our lives.
With this commitment, we can be dedicated to our relationships, marriage, family, and calling. We can also devote ourselves to acts of generosity, forgiveness, and volunteering, knowing we are supported by His strength and not our own.
How do I fully commit to God?
By realizing, I get to be in a relationship with Him. I get to be connected to Him. I get to tap into His strength and wisdom. I get to shine for His glory.
Living radiantly means falling more in love with my Creator, my Savior, my Lord.
And one day, like Paul we will be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
As we pray together, let the Holy Spirit speak to you about your perspective of commitment.
Father, thank you for wanting to be in a relationship with me. Thank you for choosing to be committed to me. Lord, I ask you to help me pour all that I have into our relationship. Help me go all in. Let me experience what it’s like to live out of an overflow staying connected with you provides. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s go live radiantly.
XOXO,
Laura
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Joshua 15
Matthew 7
John 4
All scripture NIV unless otherwise noted
