It’s that time of year again…you know, the time when you make a whole bunch of promises to yourself that you’ll, without a doubt, break within 2-3 weeks–a month max. Let’s be honest, we’ve all made a list of the cliches: “Lose 20 lbs,” “Spend less, Save More,” Go to the gym Everyday,” Spend more time with the family, and less time at work,” or my personal favorite: “Be a Better Person!” But come the next December 31st, you realize you’ve gained 7 lbs, got yourself further in debt, wasted $20 per month on a gym membership even though you only went 4 times total, Taken on more hours at work, and still haven’t quite became that “better person.”
Unfortunately, we make similar types of hyped up, half-hearted promises to God that we hold close to our heart and make a priority….for a week, two weeks, even maybe a month, if we’re really “good.” But by the time push comes to shove, and the emotional conviction that once drove you to make a promise to yourself and to God wears off, things start to slide downhill again. Justification is so easy when your justifying something you want ‘really’bad. (I do it everytime i go to the mall…) But, before you know it, you’re right back where you started again: feeling weak, like a failure. Disappointing both yourself and God…and making the same promises all over again. When did our words became so meaningless? Why don’t promises mean anything anymore. You see, God doesn’t mess around with his promises or covenants:
“The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.” – Psalm 12:6 (NLT)
There’s a difference between a pinky promise and a covenant, that we as humans have yet to discover. Next time you make a promise to God, or yourself, think about the meaning behind your words–Let it not be an empty promise, waiting to be broken. Rather, let it mean something to you, for longer than a week, a month, a year even. Be driven. Be stretched. Be tough enough to stand your ground. But most of all, be sincere.
