When my wife, Miska, and I were dating and our relationship grew serious, marriage became the obvious next step. For more than a year, however, I hesitated and pushed the conversation aside. We even broke up twice as our communication faltered and expectations diverged. Through several difficult conversations, I had to face how afraid I was of commitment. I loved Miska, but I wanted to keep my options open. And I found myself haunted by all the “what ifs” and all the unknown future possibilities. My fear of commitment wasn’t unusual, but it was immature. Love requires a risk. To say yes to one person, we must say no to others.
The psalmist described a faith that took a risky leap, a faith that committed to God—closing off every competing option and burning every other bridge. “O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God!” wrote the psalmist. “Do not let me be disgraced” (Psalm 25:1-2). These words remind me of the apostle Peter. When asked whether or not he too would abandon Jesus, Peter insisted that he would stay with the Lord, for there was nowhere else to go (John 6:68). For those of us who choose to follow Jesus, there inevitably comes a time when we must abandon our lives and our futures and entrust all into God’s care.
At times we take these daring steps of faith with fear and trembling, much like the psalmist who pleaded with God not to leave him in the lurch—not to allow him disgrace or ruin. But God knows our faltering hearts, and He assures us that “no one who trusts in [Me] will ever be disgraced” (Psalm 25:3). We can throw caution to the wind because of our confidence in Christ and put our full “hope” in Him (Psalm 25:5).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Timothy 4:1-16
More:
Read John 6:60-70. Identify all the ways that Jesus caused those who were with Him to be fearful of the future. What compelled Peter to refuse to leave Jesus?
Next:
When do you find it most difficult to take the risk of following Christ? Are there any options you need to abandon or bridges you need to burn so you can say a firm “yes” to Him? What are they?
Gary Shultz on December 11, 2015 at 6:59 am
Your word “immature” helps me to review life a little better. As we have walked through it I have been immature and faltered at times; however, God has reminded us we are to make commitments and then we should be people of our word. I am always disappointed in people who have promised before God and man and casually brake those vows. God meets us in our commitment to Him. The path may not always be what we expected, but we have trusted in a God that is much more than we can imagine. Thanks, I hope you have a deep enjoyment of Christmas this year.
Tim Gustafson on December 11, 2015 at 7:46 am
I can so relate, Winn. But I’ve noticed there is an incomparable exhilaration that comes with commitment too. Like Peter, I realize I have nowhere else to go. Jesus is the One with the words of eternal life.
godlove on December 14, 2015 at 9:02 am
“Our victories and setbacks are fleeting. God’s plans are eternal.”
Once we understand this, we can live in complete peace of mind, trusting in GOD always. Thanks.
godlove on December 14, 2015 at 11:19 am
I don’t know how this appeared here! Sorry, I didn’t mean to post this here, I posted elsewhere and suddenly saw it here…
Winn Collier on December 14, 2015 at 3:23 pm
I like that, Tim — the “exhilaration” of commitment. I don’t think this is something we say very often, certainly not what’s promoted in the glitzy, grab-life-for-the-next-10-minutes ideas. I like that a lot.
Mike Wittmer on December 11, 2015 at 7:54 am
True that! I like to keep my options open too, and have noticed that life forces me to narrow them to be productive. I’ll never do anything if I don’t commit to it rather than something else. And I’ll never amount to anything unless I commit to the One who committed to me.
Winn Collier on December 14, 2015 at 3:24 pm
Those darn options, they’ll kill us every time.
michaeldaily1 on December 11, 2015 at 10:33 am
Yes I too took a long time to commit to my wife, so this article makes me wonder if I’m doing the same thing with God. I know my lifestyle is changing but is not totally committed as I would want it?
jim spillane on December 11, 2015 at 11:20 am
Winn – we must remember that early on Peter was an impetuous sort, usually blurting out the first thing that came into his mind. His insistence that he would stay with the Lord, for there was nowhere else to go, was later followed up with another assertion that “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” John 13:37. This was his immediate response to Christ telling His disciples that where He was going, they couldn’t come. Christ answered Peter’s bold statement by foretelling “Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will no crow, till you have denied Me three times.” John 13:38b. Peter would often “take these daring steps of faith” without any thought, and displayed his own form of immaturity. But also notice the change in Peter after Pentecost, after the descent and infusion of the Holy Spirit. What a difference!
Winn Collier on December 14, 2015 at 3:26 pm
I think Peter was courageous and (imperfectly) faithful here as well. I resonate a lot with Peter.