Unshakeable Commitment
The city and port of Veracruz, Mexico
The city and port of Veracruz, MexicoIt was in the port above that Hernando Cortez sailed in April of 1519. He landed in Veracruz, Mexico with 600 men and supplies. Although greatly outnumbered, in the next two years he defeated Montezuma and conquered Mexico. How did he accomplish such a great feat against such overwhelming odds? After unloading all their supplies and provisions Cortez ordered that his entire fleet of 11 ships be burned. There would be no turning back. They would have to succeed or die! It was unshakeable commitment to his quest, more than anything else, that brought Cortez victory.
Just after he finishes the great "Faith Hall of Fame" in chapter eleven, the writer of Hebrews opens chapter 12 with these words in verses 1-3.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Unshakeable commitment is discovered in adversity. When we face difficulty, the committed persevere! "Let us run with perseverance" or in another translation, "let us run with endurance." We really don't know if we are committed to something or not until we face difficulties or hardships. The committed keep going right on through adversity.
Commitment doesn't depend on our gifts or abilities. Sometimes we might think that it is easier for talented people to make commitments. As frustrating as it can be, it seems to just be harder for talented people to commit. There is truth in this formula,
"Talent - Commitment = Nothing."
The writer of Hebrews gives us a far more important quality than talent. It is "fixing our eyes upon Jesus." You can have all the talents in the world, but if you cannot commit the your talent is nothing!
Commitment comes as a result of a choice and not a condition. It's as thought the writer here was saying, "since we have so great a cloud of witnesses" we have no other reasonable choice but to commit. Some think that condition determines choices. "I could budget more and get out of debt if I just had more income or a higher salary. I could serve God better if I just had more time and money." Why not this instead? "I will budget whatever God provides for me and live within my means. I will make the time to put God first in my life!" Let your choices determine the conditions. When you choose to commit you give yourself a chance to succeed.
Commitment will last when it is based on values. So, "let us lay aside every encumberance and the sin which so easily entangles us. We know about burning bridges, and have learned about burning ships. Don't make provision for failure! If you leave a boat waiting just in case you fail, then you are expecting failure. I know you are thinking, "but what if I don't make it?" Hey, God has promised that He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. You don't have to fail, and you won't fail if you commit whole-heartedly to Him. "For I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day!" Burn those ships! have a blessed day!
Just after he finishes the great "Faith Hall of Fame" in chapter eleven, the writer of Hebrews opens chapter 12 with these words in verses 1-3.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Unshakeable commitment is discovered in adversity. When we face difficulty, the committed persevere! "Let us run with perseverance" or in another translation, "let us run with endurance." We really don't know if we are committed to something or not until we face difficulties or hardships. The committed keep going right on through adversity.
Commitment doesn't depend on our gifts or abilities. Sometimes we might think that it is easier for talented people to make commitments. As frustrating as it can be, it seems to just be harder for talented people to commit. There is truth in this formula,
"Talent - Commitment = Nothing."
The writer of Hebrews gives us a far more important quality than talent. It is "fixing our eyes upon Jesus." You can have all the talents in the world, but if you cannot commit the your talent is nothing!
Commitment comes as a result of a choice and not a condition. It's as thought the writer here was saying, "since we have so great a cloud of witnesses" we have no other reasonable choice but to commit. Some think that condition determines choices. "I could budget more and get out of debt if I just had more income or a higher salary. I could serve God better if I just had more time and money." Why not this instead? "I will budget whatever God provides for me and live within my means. I will make the time to put God first in my life!" Let your choices determine the conditions. When you choose to commit you give yourself a chance to succeed.
Commitment will last when it is based on values. So, "let us lay aside every encumberance and the sin which so easily entangles us. We know about burning bridges, and have learned about burning ships. Don't make provision for failure! If you leave a boat waiting just in case you fail, then you are expecting failure. I know you are thinking, "but what if I don't make it?" Hey, God has promised that He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. You don't have to fail, and you won't fail if you commit whole-heartedly to Him. "For I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day!" Burn those ships! have a blessed day!
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