Commit thy works unto the LORD, And thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3 (KJV).

REFLECT:
The words commitment and rest are not too commonly used in our present-day affairs. Sadly, they are almost going extinct. People are hardly really committed to things these days, and even when they are, it is more for selfish reasons.

Rest on its own is usually frowned upon. To many having to take some time off to rest is a taboo. People are too busy chasing after pipe dreams and pleasure to want to think about resting.

So, what do we find around us as a result of this blatant neglect of both of these essentials of life? Indeed, we notice a society fast becoming void of the right kind of virtues and a decline in personal and collective well-being.

The Apostle Peter sounds out this warning to the early Christians who were also in a similar kind of entanglement. He advises them to always be attentive to the following-

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1Peter 15-8 (KJV).

It is these kinds of virtues and behavior traits mentioned in the Bible passage above that our contemporary societies are lacking. It is, therefore, no wonder that we can not find commitment and the grace to securely rest.

The word commitment means assuming the quality or high standards of being dedicated, faithful, loyal, attentive bound to someone or something such as an activity or a cause.

When a person is committed they have very few options to toy around with, because of the responsibility they bear to make sure that they are focused on fulfilling the obligations of their commitment.

An important aspect to note about this aspect of being committed is that it has its positive connotations as well as negative ones. People may be committed to a good and well-deserving cause or a bad and ill-deserving cause. Either way, there is always a repercussion to such actions.

Rest, or resting, can be seen as being in a state of tranquility, peace, quietness, and calmness of body, soul, and spirit. This is a wonderful state or quality of life to have and experience. So, we must be very particular about the things or people we are committed to. This is because like attracts like. What we put in is what we get, as the saying goes, ‘garbage in, garbage out.’

If our allegiance leans more toward evil, the evil we will receive as compensation or repercussion. If we pay more attention to good, then we are compensated with good. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 (KJV).

In all of this, the decisions we make all boil down to the choices we make, and this will depend on the sides we choose to take and operate on. However, there is something intrinsic about human nature. Which is that deep down we all desire to have a good, healthy and fulfilling life. Nobody enjoys calamities, troubles, or death.

Notwithstanding we would wonder why so many still make poor choices, which leads to the issues and problems we face. A plausible reason for such issues or problems we face is the modes and channels we employ in our decision to acquire the good life we want. That is why our channel, mode, and source must be the right one.

Our Bible verse for today —Proverbs 16:3, directs us on what to do. In this verse, we get to know the right and perfect channel, mode, and source to rely on. It tells us that the Lord God Almighty is the only source and channel we must be committed to(KJV). Therefore our allegiance must only be to God

The mode of this commitment is that we must give ourselves to God, and rely on Him with everything that concerns us. In deciding to do this, He leads us down the right path we should take. This right path will without doubt bring us to our expected goals, and when we are established in our expected goals we experience the peace and tranquility that can only come from God.

Understanding who the right source, channel, and mode to direct our commitment to will determine the quality of rest we will eventually walk in.

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

A Prayer to Surrender My Plans to God.

FATHER GOD, I want my life to be lived for Your glory. In moments where it is difficult for me to commit myself to you and surrender my plans to You, please help me focus on Your vision for the future. Give me a deep awareness of the benefits that can only come as I commit myself to You, which is the gift of Your divine rest. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN.