Commitment

COMMITMENT

Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Pakistan singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was supposed to perform at the 2016 New Year bash at Falaknuma Palace; however, since the singer directly landed in Hyderabad and did not comply with the rules for Pakistan nationals, he was deported back to Abu Dhabi. The singer could not be browbeaten, though, he again took another flight from Abu Dhabi, landed in New Delhi as per rules and took a chartered flight to reach the venue in Hyderabad! Phew! None in the audience knew the great ordeal of the singer in travelling back and forth just to entertain the Indian crowd on New Year, he gave them an enthralling performance for nearly four hours and kept the crowed mesmerized! I was awestruck too – by his commitment! Ah! What a spirit! Instead of cancelling his performance, he stood committed in the midst of heavy hindrances!

I would like to speak to each one of you this morning to have this kind of true commitment! If a secular singer and entertainer could be so true, committed and determined to keep his word and stand firm in his work, how much more should we as children of God be in our respective work! Alas! We find lethargy, inefficiency, sluggishness and carelessness in ample portions in the church and among Christians today. Are you listening? People who jump sky-high during worship, vanish when the pastor requests for help! Much more, silly reasons and lame excuses are given for ducking responsibilities. Friend, if you are a Christ-lover and Jesus-worshipper, let me tell you today, show it in your work and action! Let the world see it and admire you rather than guffaw at our pseudo religion! Anybody with me?

It was a month after we started Abide School in the year 2011, it was a dark and uncertain period in my life since we had relocated to a new city and everything around us were new including the language. The burden for the poor children loitering on the streets were pressing me so fiercely that I would go wandering on the roads hunting for kids. During that mission, I spotted three small boys belonging to a rag picker woman and chased her for nearly two months requesting (pleading) her to join the children in our school. She started avoiding me because that involved huge responsibility for her of dragging the children early in the morning to school, since they leave their homes at 6 am in the morning for work while the kids play outside their homes the whole day. One day, the woman asked me, ‘can you promise me to open the school at 6.30 am in the morning and keep the children?’, I said ‘ok’. It was a commitment and promise I had given her, my family were shocked and concerned for my health since that meant, I had to finish all work before 6 am and leave home. I did keep up my word and the woman in turn was punctual too. You know what, God watched my efforts, hard work and commitment and blessed me with a whole lot of more students today! Don’t bother about who would appreciate you – God would surely reward you!

Wherever you may work or whatever you may do, stay committed, be reliable and trustworthy. Are you listening? If you have given your word for ‘something’, keep it, it can be a simple birthday party also, if you cannot make it, call and inform rather than ignore and disregard. That shabby attitude speaks very bad of your faith. Let me conclude by saying, ‘MUCH and MUCH’ is expected of people in leadership roles!

Colossians 3:23 ‘Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”