Have you ever seen construction crews building a highway? If so, you notice that before they pour the concrete they build a steel mesh made of rebar. This rebar mesh reinforces the concrete making it stronger so that it can withstand the pressure of the heavy loads exerted upon it by the vehicles that depend upon the highway to get to their destination.

The word for contemplation this week is commitment. It seems in our society commitment is a long forgotten grace. However, commitment is the rebar mesh of our relationships. Just as the rebar mesh in the highway strengthens the concrete to withstand the pressures of traffic, commitment to one another enables our relationships to withstand the pressures of life. Of course our first commitment is to the person of Jesus Christ for this commitment undergirds all other commitments you make in life. Second, commitment to your spouse provides a strong foundation for raising your children by establishing security that provides a sense of wellbeing in the heart of a child regardless of the pressures life brings. Third, commitment to your local church establishes stronger foundations outside of your home for raising your children and establishing healthy secure relationships able to withstand pressures and difficulties that arise in any human relationship.

In writing to the Philippians, Paul described Timothy and himself as “committed servants of Christ Jesus” (1:1, The Message). Commitment is reinforcement for your relationships.

Blessings to you this week,
Pastor Gary