The bible says we shouldn’t have to put an oath to seal our words, but just let yes and no mean yes and no. Do you mean it when you tell somebody something? I try to be that way. Of course everybody fails, like a dad who promises his kids to go to the movies, but then the boss calls and says if he doesn’t come into work that Saturday he’s fired. There are some things out of our reach.
So we should never commit to anything, right? Nah. I’ll do my best sounds so weak, but if the best you can do is consistently twice the level of mostly everyone else, then when you say I’ll do my best, it will eventually mean something. You can say it and those who know you will already know they can count on you.
Then there are the people who commit to something and when it’s not convenient, or they found a better opportunity, or something comes on TV, or they’re tired in the morning and that’s the only day they have to take it easy…well you’ll understand, won’t you?
I do. I really do. People need rest. They need refreshing. They need margin in their lives. I know I need it too.
So let’s cut each other a lot of slack out there. Try not to overcommit, but try to commit. And when you give your word ( and that means when you say you’ll do something, not just when you say, “I swear,” or “I give you my word,” ) do everything you can to do what you said. Even when it’s inconvenient!
When you stop and think about the things you can do that will benefit others, you’re amazing! You can do a lot to make life better for those around you. It’s not your fault that they’re not doing it themselves, but then again: you’ve been down — you could be down right now — and you know what it’s like.
So don’t be afraid to commit. Sometimes it’s the commitment that keeps you on the line more than anything else. I know I’ve done things I otherwise would never bother with, and the only reason I did them was because I said I would. Commit. Be faithful. Don’t swear. Don’t need to swear. Your word is good enough for me.
Aren’t you glad God keeps His word too?
