A Reflection On Commitment

When I hear the call to absolute discipleship

Our society respects those who dabble in religious belief but reviles those who are wholeheartedly committed—especially if the object of commitment is Christ. In our culture it is respectable to say we are seeking, but arrogant to say we have found. Throughout history, those who have “left everything” to follow Christ have often been considered fools.

Have we come to view total commitment as an option? Or worse, is it to be avoided as an unrealistic demand? Where in Scripture does Jesus expect of His disciples anything less than total devotion? Jesus is perfectly clear in His absolute call to discipleship. We are to abandon all that we are to Him.

Lord, grant that we might not be afraid of radical commitment, even if we are ostracized by a world that doesn’t understand it.

Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.” “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”

Luke 18:28-30