The high cost of commitment

by Shirley L.

I’m a jogger and have been jogging for eight years. Although I’m not as dedicated as marathon runners, I have found there are certain commitments I need to make before I begin jogging. There is a commitment to clothing, time, consistency, and commitment to the reason for running. Some are less important than others but all are commitments nonetheless.

When we look at today’s athletes in competition we rejoice with them in their glory and marvel at their commitment. In some cases we know that it may be this one glorious moment that has given them purpose.

Two thousand years ago someone was committed to giving purpose and meaning to life that it cost him dearly. It cost him his life. That person was Jesus Christ. This commitment may seem costly but consider the triathletes and their commitment. They have paid in time, sweat, and in some cases, their lives, to win a prize. God offers us the ultimate prize (eternal life), in exchange for our lives, something that we never truly own anyway. Jim Elliot said it best:

"He is no fool that gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Some time ago I watched Escape From Alcatraz. No, it wasn’t an episode of America’s Most Wanted although it may sound like one. It was a triathlon on the island of Alcatraz where the famous prison is located. In watching the race I was struck by several characteristics the participants shared.

This triathlon is one of the toughest in the world. The rough waters and terrain the participants must cover contributes to its incredible challenge. The triathletes swim from San Francisco to the island, bike several miles around the island and then run 13 miles over rough terrain.

Each one of them had made a commitment to buy lightweight, streamlined clothing designed to help them run, swim and cycle efficiently. The race began at 6:00 AM which showed that they were also committed to the time of day. There was a commitment to discipline evidenced by their obvious training for this race and also by the fact that several participants who had previously competed in this triathalon said it was a favourite. But it was their commitment to the reason why they were in the triathalon that impressed me most. A few triathletes wanted to better their time from previous runs but many just wanted to finish in order to say they had done it. There was even a family of three who had made the race a family project.

As I watched the progress of the race and all the people who were struggling through, one woman stood out. She was a young woman in her late twenties. She had cancer. Her doctors had told her she was crazy to compete, her family feared it would take too much out of her and her friends were concerned it would set her back physically. Yet she wanted to run. She wanted to show you can continue living even with a disease like cancer.

Throughout the race this woman was the one person the commentators focussed on and the one the bystanders and race officials cheered on. She fell several times, walked up most of the hills and was at the back of the pack. Yet she smiled the whole time, said she was having a good time and eventually finished the race.

All the runners paid something for their commitment to compete in this triathalon, whether in dollars, time or some other way. But none paid a cost as high as this woman did. Her commitment cost her the misunderstanding of her doctors, her family and friends. It cost her precious energy and it may have cost her life. She knew the risks, evaluated the end result and determined that the high cost of this commitment was worth it for her. She had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

It forced onlookers to consider, "What am I committed to?" Is it the outer aspects of life–how you look, what you wear, what you drive, where you live? Is it the physical aspects of life–your career, the comfort and pleasure of money? Or are you committed to living a life with purpose and meaning, regardless of the cost?

Explaining Jesus’ Commitment To You

Do you know God loves you? He created you to have a personal relationship with Him. And He wants you to experience a full and meaningful life. Jesus says, "I came that you might have life, and might have it abundantly" (Romans 3:23). And there’s a penalty for sin–spiritual separation from God. As a result there’s a hug void in our lives.

Jesus Christ is God’s only solution to our sin. That’s why Jesus Christ came to earth to die to pay for our sins so we could have a relationship with Him and fill the God-shaped void in our lives.

"The proof of God’s love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us"
(Romans 5:8)

Jesus Himself declared, "I myself am the way and the truth and the life. No one approaches the Father except through me." (John 14:6). But, just because Jesus died for you doesn’t mean you automatically begin a relationship with Him. You have to respond. You can either accept or reject the gift of forgiveness that Christ offers.

To receive Christ and the meaningful life He offers, you need to realize that turning to God means turning away from yourself–giving up your way of doing things, asking Jim to forgive you for all your sins and take control of your life. You can only do that through faith. "For it is by grace that you are saved, through faith. This does not depend on anything you have achieved, it is the free gift of God; and because it is not earned no one can boast about it".

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Living with hope

If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

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Further Reading:
How an Olympic Gold Medalist rose above her trails
The Rock