What would a greater level of commitment to God look like?
The prophet Jeremiah tells the Lord, “for I have committed my cause to you.” (Jer 11:20).
What is your cause in this world? What motivates you day and night? Who or what are you serving?
I am wondering this as I read the urgency in St. Peter’s words, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.” (2 Pet 3:9-10)
We spend Advent being reminded of this truth, that Jesus is coming to earth again. If I believe this to be true, am I living like it is true the other 11 months of the year?
The word Consecration means the action of making or declaring something sacred. What would that look like to consecrate our lives to God?
- Mary, a young and unmarried Jewish girl, agrees that she will bear the son of God into the world. She tells the angel Gabriel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the gold statue the king of Babylon had set up, and they were thrown into the fiery furnace as they still believed God could save them. After they walked out of the fire, the king proclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in Him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” (Dan 3:28)
- Daniel continued to pray to God three times a day on his knees even after the king of Babylon made a law that only he should be prayed to. The next day after Daniel was thrown into a den of lions, the king asked him, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me…” (Dan 6:19-22)
I could keep going on with examples, but I just ask again, What would a greater level of commitment to God look like?
Father God, thank you for my life and for letting me live at this time in history. The work of your kingdom is so vast that you invite us to be part of. Lead me. Teach me. I commit my cause to you, God. I want to love you as much as I possibly can. I consecrate my life to you. May I be like Mary and like Daniel, like St. Peter and St. Paul, in whatever ways you want me to serve. Here I am, Lord. Here I am. You are glorious and mighty, the one true God. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
My Heart, My Home 