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Incoming

 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:5-6) 


Men’s lack of commitment in a relationship is one of the sources of situation comedy, but I had to admit, my own fear of commitment rivals any I’ve seen on TV. It’s not just about interpersonal relationships between me and another human, it’s about a relationship with God, a relationship with an organization. I suspect I’m not alone. Commitment involves vulnerability, endurance, determination, patience, love, humility, faithfulness, loyalty – a whole bunch of things we’d really rather not develop.

But if David is still singing about the alternative of fussing, he’s giving us another good picture, because while I (at least) may not be good at being committed to another person or organization, I know what it means to be committed to tracing a family tree, or writing a book, or posting a blog on a daily basis, or working at a job, or taking care of an ailing father, or making boxes to make my life simpler, or growing a garden, or…or…or… 

Which means maybe, just maybe, I understand a little about what it means to commit my way to the Lord. It’s not so much about “Here ya go, God. You’re in charge of the way that I go,” as it is, “OK, God – I’m on my way.” (Or, given my sense of humor, “OK, God – very slow mo, but ‘INCOMING!’”)

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