The Risk of Commitment: Intending is not Committing

I have observed that many people can never break the cycle of failure. They start strong, they intend well, they may even plan to some extent, but in the end they end in absolute, abject failure and frustration.

“Roll your works…” (Prov. 16:3)

I have seen many people that begin well but implode or explode shortly into the journey.  I have seen people hover on the edge of success never touching or grasping it, but always hanging around—grasping vainly at something potentially tangible, but always invisible. I have seen others develop great intentions that would produce truly impactful results, but never get beyond the intending. I have observed a great idea that never launches because of a lack of great preparation or great patience. I have seen achievement become elusive like a white whale because the suitor grew weary, worn and complacent.

These observations are largely due to the clear and undeniable fact that many people are both unwilling and unable to make and maintain strong commitments.  Why? Because, there is a risk in commitment. And thus, commitment is on the decline.

What then is commitment?

Commitment is a conscious decision of dedication and devotion. The problem in our culture today is that commitment is viewed as a contract–terminable when the conditions become unfavorable. This form of “contractual obligation” is not commitment. Commitment is placing yourself through your decisions and actions not just through thoughts or intentions as a fully responsible participant both in pledge and in perpetration.

Another way of observing commitment and understanding the risk involved is to substitute the word “roll” for the word “commit.” You are scratching your head, but think of a bowling ball. When you “roll” the ball down the lane towards the ten pins you are “committed” to the outcome. If you have great form, practice, and skill, you are able to release the ball in such a fashion that will prove excellent results. However, if you are untrained or decide to use a ball that is too heavy for you, chances are you will decide not to ever release the ball or the ball once released will end up…..in the gutter! Anyone who has ever bowled has rolled a gutter ball. See, the risk is in the release. The commitment is in the release and the follow through.

For the disciple of Jesus Christ there is a subtle difference.

“Commit your way to The Lord; trust in Him, and He will act” Psalm 37:5

In an act like bowling, you are mostly responsible for the outcome based on your preparation, readiness, skill and training. However, for the disciple of Christ all those things are necessary, but they are no guarantor of results. Because for the disciple of Jesus–the invisible hand of God is at work. This is where faith enters into the equation and trust is formed and affirmed. When you fail to trust you start to predict. Prediction and intention are enemies of initiation and expectation.

Thus for the follower of Jesus Christ, his ways and works, must first be committed to Him. The burden of results in Christian Commitment is always The Lord Sovereign’s responsibility. The commitment in heart and deed is the responsibility of the follower. The outcome, the results is solely the responsibility of The Lord. I have observed many well-meaning Christians embark on a “way” or in a direction, seemingly fully committed but intending exactly how something should turn out. I call this “predictive thought.” Predictive thought is predicting the results based upon your mental acuity and past experience—Prediction is fine in science, reason, and logic; however, faith is transcendent of these faculties. The disciple is committed by faith and in faith.

“for we walk by faith not by sight“ 2 Corinthians 5:7 

The release is the risk. God in His sovereignty already knows the outcome. You do not. But to fail to commit is to fail to trust and to fail to take faith. Intention kills initiative. Commitment trumps vacillation. Commitment is a standard that frames your life, direction and is fertilization for fruitfulness for commitment and faithfulness are brothers.

 ^“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.“ Proverbs 16:3 (Amplified Bible)