Defeating DespairSample

COMMITMENT

How is God helping me let go of fear long enough to begin loving again?

God gives us the freedom to choose a new purpose, to make a new commitment, to choose a new reason for living. In chapter two, Scripture declares that God never gives up on finding us. He always offers us a new way of choosing life, a new purpose, but only if our hearts are softened towards Him, ourselves, and others.

A veteran sat in the chaplain’s office. “I have decided my life isn’t working. After what I saw in combat, I decided there couldn’t be a God, not the God that I was taught about. I came home bitter. My wife had waited loyally. She tried to stick it out. But I had changed. I did drugs and when I wasn’t doing drugs, I was drunk. I couldn’t hold a job. I swore constantly. My faith was trashed. My only commitment was in finding the next high.

“I joined the service with high ideals. I felt loyal to my country. I was ready to give my life, if necessary, to protect the freedoms of this nation. I was soon disillusioned with, like what they say…‘man’s inhumanity to man.’ I lost myself. I was trained to be a killer, and in the process, I forgot who I was.

“It’s not working, Chaplain. If I go on like this I am going to end up dead, I can see it coming. I want to believe in God again. But I don’t know how. I don’t even know who God is. I can’t believe God is an old man in the clouds or heaven. That didn’t work for me on the battlefield. I need help. Can you help?”

When our sense of purpose and meaning dies within us, so does our sense of who we are, and so does our desire to commit ourselves to God, to others, or to a high ideal. This is a life-threatening situation. Without a deep commitment we become like a ship without a course, tossed about by every storm.

Yet God gives us the freedom to choose a new purpose, to make a new commitment, to choose a new reason for living. Scripture declares that though we become like one lost sheep in a hundred, God never gives up on us; God searches us out. God always offers us a new way of choosing life, a new purpose. That purpose begins with setting God as our top priority and learning to live in God’s love.

Readings from the Old Testament

Moses instructs the Israelites and tells them the most important commandment.

Deuteronomy 6.4-9

Moses tells the people what God demands.

Deuteronomy 10.12-14,17a,20,21a

Deuteronomy 11.13b,16,22b

In his final speech to the Israelites, Moses reminds the people to remain faithful to God.

Deuteronomy 30.19,20a

Nearly three centuries later, the prophet Samuel also reminded the people of Israel to remain faithful to God. He also spoke of God’s promise to all who obey the Lord.

1 Samuel 12:20b-22, 24

Many of the psalms express trust in God.

Psalm 3:3-5

Psalm 13:3, 5, 6

Psalm 69:13, 16

Psalm 86:11,12

Psalm 119:10-16

The book of Proverbs teaches the value of wisdom.

Proverbs 8:8-10, 19, 20, 35

Isaiah 57.15

Readings from the New Testament

Following a discussion Jesus had with some of the religious leaders, a teacher of the Law approaches him with a question about the most important commandment. Jesus responds by quoting from the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:4, 5 and Leviticus 19:18).

Mark 12:28-31

While in the desert for 40 days in preparation for his ministry, the Devil tempted Jesus by offering him wealth and power. Jesus resisted and said:

Luke 4:8

In teaching about what it means to be a faithful servant of God, Jesus said:

Luke 16:10, 13

John 12:26

Jesus teaches a new commandment and relates it to discipleship and what it means to abide in his love.

John 13:34, 35

John 15:9-17

The apostle Paul, writing to Christians in the first century, talks about life in God’s service.

Romans 12

Romans 13:9, 10

The apostle Paul speaks of the responsibility that freedom in Christ entails.

Galatians 5:13, 14

By having true love for one another, Christians demonstrate that they follow the example of Christ.

1 John 4:7, 11, 12, 19-21

2 John 1:6

Thoughts for reflection:

• Who has been the person most committed to my well-being? Have I seen God reaching out to me in that person?
• What keeps me from making a commitment to love God as I understand God? Am I willing to let go of these barriers and take the risk of loving God as I understand how to love?
• What keeps me from making a commitment to love others? Am I willing to take one step toward loving others? What would that step be?

Prayer

O God, you know better than anyone else that I am not perfect. You also know that I am afraid to make a commitment to love you and to love others. You know that because I am afraid, I act in ways that drive others away. Yet, how I ache to be loved! How I yearn to feel the closeness of your Spirit and the connection to another human being. Will you help me let go of my fear long enough to begin loving again?

I am asking you because I am slowly dying, my spirit is withering. I need help. Bring me healing through your Spirit. I do not ask this because I deserve your love, but because I do believe, deep in my heart, that your nature is one of unconditional love. Hear my prayer, dear God. My life depends upon it. Amen.