Total Commitment.

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

In golf, any shot you play, whether it is a drive, pitch, chip or putt, must be approached with total commitment to the shot. Before you swing you must make up in your mind what kind of shot you are trying to hit. You take into account the lie, the distance, wind and other variables. You take a practice swing, remove all doubt and then execute the shot with full confidence it will end up where you want it. Any shot approached carelessly or arbitrarily stands a much greater chance of ruining the hole or even unraveling the round. So too, as Christians, we have to make up our minds to commit to serving the Lord to please God and to set an example for those within our sphere of influence.

Joshua was nearing the end of a life of service. He was certain what the Lord had done for the children of Israel. He also witnessed how some of them had begun to follow the gods their forefathers served on the other side of the river or the gods of the Amorites in the new land. Many of us started well. We prayed our way through college and the early trials of working life. Our relationships, finances, plans and goals were all made consulting God through prayer. Then success set in and we developed a secular life outside of our church and families and began to accept other ideas, philosophies and practices. Joshua called the tribes together before God to consider their journey and the true source of their blessings. We too must be mindful that God desires us to trust and worship in him above everything else.

My prayer for you today is that you make up your mind to commit fully to serving the Lord.

Deacon Larry Woodard