For many people commitment has become something negative – a four-letter word.  Each day we are faced with decisions and opportunities.  Avoiding commitment is not possible.  Commitment takes discipline.  How can you discipline yourself to commit?

Limit options

There will always be something else (bigger, better) out there, but you must stop the endless searching.  Limiting how many options you have to choose from does not mean that you are settling for less than the best.  If you can’t choose a camera after looking at the first three pages of a Google search, accept that maybe you aren’t ready to commit to buying a new camera. 

True humility

If God has given you a gift and using it brings you joy, then use it!  It is not prideful to do what God has designed you to do.  Also, don’t compare yourself to others.  God made you unique.  He isn’t looking at you to fill someone else’s shoes but wants you to accept the talents given to you.

Step out

Instead of offering something vague, step up and step out.  Offer something concrete.  If you want to meet someone, say a time that would work for you.  If you want to get involved with something, do it.  Pick a time commitment that will work for you.  Can you volunteer once a week, once a month or once every other month?  Pick a length of commitment.  Choose to do it for 3 months, 6 months or even a year. 

Get active

You do need time to relax and restore yourself, yet seeing a task thru to completion can be fulfilling and rewarding.  Be willing to let go of time wasters.  We make time for what is important.  Are you willing to make other’s needs become important?  Are you willing to make serving Christ important?  Are you willing to commit to doing things that meet others needs and serve Christ?

Trust in God

Instead of becoming consumed by fear, hold tight to Scripture. 

“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Psalm 56:3

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Prov 3:5-6

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Tim 1:7

Commitment doesn’t have to be a four-letter word.  We can discipline ourselves to make commitments.  At some point we decide whether to commit our lives to Christ.  Daily we choose to discipline ourselves to follow-thru on that commitment. When faced with any commitment, we can pray and ask a trusted source for wisdom in addition to leading a life of discipline.