spirituality |

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. – Philippians 3:15-16

Commitment: an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; something pledged; the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled

As we continue in our discussion of “About My Father’s Business,” I want to take a look at the word ‘commitment.’ Paul was definitely a man that exemplified commitment during his ministry here on earth. Even while he was writing these very words, he was also modeling this to the people he was speaking to. One thing Paul realized during his ministry…was that there was a price to pay. And that price was total commitment. In the previous scripture, Paul talks about wanting everything that God had for him.

Now let me shift to you…I know that if you’re taking the time to read this, you want everything that God has for your life. So let me ask you another question…and this might hurt a little bit. Are you totally committed to God? Let me ask you that one more time…and please take some time to think about this…”are you totally committed to God?” Are there areas that have caused your vision to be a little blurred? Are there sideshow attractions that have been taking away your time, energy and focus from that plan that God has for you? Maybe you felt this was the year for you to focus on your marriage…have you been doing that? Or maybe you felt you really wanted to work on being a better parent, student or employee…have you been doing that? When you’re totally committed to God and the plan that he has for you…He’ll help you stay on the right track.

It’s never too late to get on the right track. That’s one thing I love about God, He’s always ready when you’re ready for change. You’re not alone. If you’re on the right track, I want to encourage you to not grow weary in well doing. And if you’re not, start today. One step in the right direction can make a big difference. I’m routing for you, you can do it!

In the next blog, we’ll talk about how Nehemiah put action to the vision that God gave him. And that despite the opposition that came his way, God was right there to help him overcome every obstacle that tried to stop the work that was being done.

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

As we look into this scripture today, I want to set a foundation for the next few blogs to come. I’ve entitled this blog “About My Father’s Business.” Let me start off by asking you, are you about your father’s business? What comes to your mind when you think about that question? Is it your church attendance? Your relationship with God? Your finances? Maybe your time and how you use it? Well, all those are great answers but above all…are you about God’s Perfect Will for your life? Do you know what his perfect will is for your life? And if you don’t know it, are you striving to find out what it is?

What I love about this scripture is that we see a picture of a man that was toward the end of his ministry…and even in prison, yet he was still striving for all that God had for his life. He had his eye on the goal! Are your eyes on the goal that God has set before you? He said that he had not arrived yet but he knew that God was taking him somewhere. He knew that there was still work to do. If you’re reading this today, I want you to know that the same applies for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re 12 years old, 35 years old or even 80 years old…there’s still something for you to do for God. Your mission is not complete! You are still full of life, full of destiny and God has something specific just for you! I pray that you are stirred just as I was when I read this scripture. I couldn’t help but think “I want everything that God has for me, for my family and for my church!”

There’s so much more to this scripture (so we’ll continue this in another blog) but I want to encourage you to be like Paul where he was focused and he didn’t look back. Today is a new day to step into all that God has for you. Take that step towards all that God has for you and watch God show up and show off!