Commitment - A Decision Made

Over the past few weeks hurricane Katrina has caused me so much stress at work. As a seller of modular homes, several orders that had been placed about the time of Katrina have been delayed because the factories that build these homes are building temporary units for FEMA. In the face of an eight week delay one choice I give the customer is take a refund of their deposit and cancel the order.

Well, no one has cancelled an order. What I find is that once people have made a decision and paid down a deposit they are mentally committed to that decision, even if they have the choice to cancel. They've studied what's available, selected their unique options and the commitment has been made. That part of the process is over, now they just have to wait a little longer to get it.

I say this to relate it to our commitment to God. In our teen classes we have tried over and over again to stress the importance of having thought seriously about temptations they will be facing and know what decision they are going to make before it happens. If you have thought about saying no to drugs six months before they are offered to you, if you have thought about what you will say to sex before you go out on that date with a "10" or a hunk - mentally the commitment in your mind is made and it is easier to stay with that commitment. It's a part of the nature God implanted in us, so let's utilize it.
This works for all of us, not just teens. We know what our weakness are, so think about what temptations are coming ahead of time, make your decision now. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." It makes life easier!