“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 (HCSB)
Our commitments impact everything we do. Each day, we are given a full twenty-four hours to work with. But, if you are like me, you may try to cram something into every little crevice of your day, leaving just enough time to sleep so you can get up and do it all over again.
When considering our commitments, we must ask ourselves four primary questions.
- What commitments have I made?
- What commitments do I need to make?
- Are there any commitments I need to eliminate?
- How dedicated am I to my commitments?
When making commitments, we must be mindful of where they fit into our daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly schedules. In addition, we need to examine where they fit into God’s overall plan and purpose for our lives. Once we’ve carefully considered these factors and determined a necessary direction, we must avoid procrastination, get ready, and take action. But we must be diligent to analyze and prioritize our commitments on a regular basis so we can avoid anxiety and maintain balance in our everyday lives and schedules.
Analyzing our commitments sounds like a lot of work in-and-of itself, right? It is! But it can mean the difference between success and defeat—peace of mind and exhaustion. When we take the time to really consider our obligations, promises, and projects, think about the amount of time and effort each one requires, evaluate our dedication, and consider the level of importance for each one, we place ourselves in a much better position to make wise decisions regarding our schedules.
Remember, commitments require four primary components.
- Passion: We all have a spiritual temperature, and God never wants us to become “lukewarm.” (Colossians 3:23)
- Determination: We need to be willing to persevere. When the going gets tough—we must keep going. (Hebrews 12:1)
- Structure: We need to make plans, set goals, and make every effort to complete daily, weekly, and monthly tasks in order to fulfill our commitments. (Proverbs 21:5)
- Balance: We must strive for balance and avoid being overcommitted. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
Isn’t it time for you to analyze your commitments? Ask yourself the four commitment questions and implement the four commitment components, and manage your commitments to not allow them to manage you.
This post first appeared on courageforlife.org on July 26, 2018 and has been refreshed to match our current website formatting. Some details may reflect the context at the time of original publication.
