The shadow of the cross in the distance is seen by all who desire to have authentic relationships today. The reason that this cross starts to appear is because of commitment. We desire to be in relationship, but we start to see that it is hard for us to live in relationship with each other. This is seen not only in relationships that lie in the realm of romance, but those of friendships and societies. Civil Wars and friends who go separate ways are good examples of this lack of commitment.
For some reason, the new generation of young, fervent Christians struggles to commit (I am including myself in this generation). Some of it might be because we know more people and have more opportunities than ever. I have 200 facebook friends, I have 150+ brothers and sisters that are FOCUS missionaries with me. I can get on the phone and keep in touch with the 270 (and growing) contacts in my cell phone. Think about life about 70-100 years ago. How many people did you know? What was the potential of knowing other people outside your immediate family and town you lived in?
The point is, we didn’t have so many choices years ago. Now, choice is not a bad thing, neither is technology (you notice I am a blogger, so I do love technology, but not as much as Kip from Napolean Dynamite) These are all great goods in our modern day, however, we must learn to use these goods for their proper end (another post all together)
With all these choices comes the lack of commitment of the modern generation. When things start going wrong with someone, we can talk to someone else, whether in the cyber world, on the phone, or drive two hours to their house. We don’t have to stay in the situation and learn what it is to commit. Commitment is not just saying I will be there for you. No, it is saying that I will live with you, walk with you, be there to laugh with you and when we live in conflict, I won’t run…I will stay here and work this out, because that is how we become stronger.
Friendships and Relationships built on the rock of commitment will bear more fruit than others. Those friendships and relationships have a vision and ultimately their eyes will lead them to Jesus, who is the great king of commitment. Look to the Cross and know that Jesus hung on that out of commitment and love for the human race…for you! It is divine to hang on the cross, it is human to come down. Commit to others by becoming a self-gift in your friendships and relationships and your life here will be joyful, which will point you to our Savior who you will be with face to face in all of eternity.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Johnny Brooks // Jul 8, 2007 at 10:42 am
Commitment is required for missionary work, but not commitment to a religious system but rather a commitment to the man Jesus. He is the one you must be dedicated to. A system will always let you down, no matter how noble. Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us.
2 Dave // Jul 9, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Mr. Brooks,
I believe Nathan agrees with your assertion about commitment to the man, Jesus. However, he doesn’t mention a ’system’ anywhere in his post. To what, precisely, are you referring?
If by ’system’ you mean ‘a group of believers seeking fidelity to Christ and observing a common way of life centered on their encounter with Him’, then I am bound to disagree with you; if you meant ‘a set of arbitrary rules and regulations and superficial actions,’ then I agree. Acts 2:42 shows us that the first Christians had a ’system’ in place for living out the Good News–were they ‘let down’ by these things? I believe not, because Jesus was present in them.
3 Johnny Brooks // Jul 18, 2007 at 4:44 am
I was referring to a set of arbitrary rules and regulations, sorry for the lack of clarity. My thoughts were just inspired by the post not necessarily exclusively drawn from the actual content. It that is against the rules, well than the comment can be stricken.
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