A Call to Commitment

In his inaugural address on January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy spoke these famous words: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

The world was in a state of unrest. We were at the height of the “cold war.” Suspicion abounded. Fear and animosity were everywhere found. Yet, in the midst of all this turmoil, this new, young President believed that the world could be a better place.

For the world to become a better place, President Kennedy realized there would be challenges. Though he desired to see a genuine peace around the world, he made it clear that the United States, under his leadership, would not compromise the future of freedom. He said it this way:

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

Regardless of how one may have felt about his politics, he is certainly distinguished in our history as a true patriot, committed to the cause of preserving our liberty. This entire inagural address, in my assessment, could be classified as a call to commitment.

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).

One definition of commitment is "devotion or dedication to a cause, person or relationship."

Jesus had developed the reputation as a miracle worker and a teacher of wisdom. Large crowds began to follow him out of curiosity—and, of course, for what they could receive. But Jesus didn’t want spectators or simple receivers, He wanted disciples--people who would be committed to modeling the virtues He lived and taught.

I believe it is time that we acknowledge that we have sometimes failed in our commitment to be like Him. Too often we have allowed the cares of this life--indeed, even the works of the flesh--to weigh us down. After writing about all the great men and women of faith in the Old Testament, the writer of the Hebrew letter reminds us that we, too, need to strive to keep ourselves free of anything that would hinder our effectiveness.

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV).

I believe God wants this to be a year of repentance for us. We need to recognize where we have failed and ask him to forgive us and help us to be more conscious of His will. We need to be renewed in His Spirit and His Word on a daily basis. When we take the necessary steps toward Him, He will respond with Power for His people.