by Mark Asire

A hen said to a pig, “I think that I have a solution to the problem of all these poor and homeless people that we see walking by every day.”

“Let’s hear your idea,” the pig grunted.

“Well, we could serve them a nice hot breakfast of bacon and eggs every morning.” 

The pig wriggled deeper into his muddy comfort zone and gives the idea a few minutes of thoughtful consideration. 

The hen prodded, “What do you think of my idea, Porky?”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea, but what bothers me is what it might cost to run a program like that. For you it only means a small contribution,
but for me—total commitment!”

In our ministries, almost everyone is willing to contribute. It is wonderful to see the many talents and gifts that are used for God. We teach very effectively that we should give our lives to God for His use. We have churches and Christian schools full of dedicated, well trained, and hard working individuals. It is encouraging to see ministries move forward in love and unity. But do all of those things add up to true biblical commitment?

As I read Scripture, I see things such as deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. Paul tells me, “Present your [body] a living sacrifice” holy, completely, utterly, and entirely to God. I am beginning to wonder if the work that we do, the energy that we expend, and the time that we put in (the things that we associate with commitment) are really what God is after. We punch in at our ministry time clock and use our gifts for God for another day. We sincerely seek to reach others for Christ while secretly yearning for the first opportunity to punch out again. We leave the place where we “do ministry” and our evenings and weekends are spent indulging the flesh. I know exactly how Paul felt when he said, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” We can do a lot of things for God, but all of those things stacked up, accumulated, and piled together will not obscure God’s real vision for us. What does He really want?

After Christ fed the 5000, He took some time and described Himself, detailed His mission, and set His standard for commitment. He didn’t soften, weaken, or water down His message in order to keep the multitudes. The majority left because it was such a “hard saying.” Christ even asked the disciples if they were also going to leave. Peter gives a great statement describing their commitment, “To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the loving God.”

I think that in those three statements, Peter gives us a glimpse of true commitment.

I have no other plan. “To whom shall we go?” If I am committed, then it is useless to consider anything other than His will for my life. I have no contingency plan. I have no “golden parachute” just in case God’s plan for me does not work out.

I have no greater purpose. “Thou hast the words of eternal life.” No goal is so lofty, no idea is so vital, and no intention is as pure as that which sets its sights on eternity and dedicates its energy to Christ’s eternal purpose.

I serve no other god. “We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ.” My commitment can be directly measured and calibrated by my knowledge of Who God is. The more that I know of my Lord, the more trivial are the things of this world and the more significant is my relationship with Him. The more intimately that I am acquainted with God, the more entirely my life reveals His in me. The more familiar that I become with the character of my Savior, the more committed that I am; because commitment becomes who I am and not what I do.

Am I committed to Christ? Am I truly committed to the ministry to which He has called me? Do I punch a clock like everyone else and “loan” my gifts to God from nine to five? If you want a contribution, sign me up. If you have a little task to perform, I can do it. But principled and passionate purpose . . . selfless and supreme sacrifice . . . true and total commitment— it is my prayer for us all.