Sunday, March 6, 2022
“Commit to Somethin!”
When I was a child, I used to love the gumball and candy machines at the grocery store. Mom used to take my little sister and me when she would do her weekly shopping. When mom would enter the check-out line, we would beg her for a coin (penny, nickel, or dime) to put into the machines and receive the goodies locked within. Sometimes she would give us a quarter for the toy machine. We’d put in our quarter, turn the dial, and a plastic bubble containing a random toy would drop! It was so simple but so exciting for us!
In these last few days, a number of people have told me about their Lenten commitments. Most of them have been made with great thought and prayer. Others, however, sound like the person put a quarter in a machine and out popped a commitment. I suppose that’s okay, especially given that most people are new to this whole “Lent thing.” I should be happy that they’re actually trying to do something.
However, making a random or simple commitment kind of defeats the purpose. Lent, the time of preparation for Easter, is an opportunity for us to make a commitment in honor of the commitment that God made for us at Easter. God meticulously planned the process of salvation to give all of us a chance. In return, it would seem like we could at least put some thought into our own commitment for the next six weeks.
Today is the first Sunday of the Lenten season. Although the season has already begun, most people will not begin their commitments until today. That’s good. But as we consider our six-week commitments, let’s consider something that actually makes a difference.
It may seem silly. It may seem ridiculous. I used to think the same thing. But after doing this for over twenty-five years, I’ve learned that Lent provides me with an opportunity to grow stronger in every part of my life. It’s a real pain in the neck, but it’s always worth the effort.
Today is a new day. Today is a new start. Let’s commit to somethin’!
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3, NLT)
