Commitment is PRAISE
“Hey, how are you?” We ask this question multiple times per day and we are asked this question multiple times each day.
The casual response is often, “Fine, but very busy”.
We wear our busy-ness like a badge. We have so many things we are committed to. Our families. Our jobs. Our hobbies and interests. We, as a society are truly “BUSY”. We are over-committed. But doing what? And at what cost?
If we aren’t careful, our busy lifestyle will creep in and take time away from the things that are truly important.
As we continue in the posture of self-reflection through the season of LENT, today we want to consider our commitment to God as an expression of who He is and how we identify with Him.
Take a moment and read Psalm 145: 1-21 quietly and slowly. Take it in. See yourself in the words and ask yourself, “can I praise God in this way?”
This psalm encourages the need for us to have a complete commitment to the Lord because of who He is and what He has done. Since God is utterly faithful, limitless in power and glorious in majesty, he is worthy of our unconditional commitment. But do we give Him praise at all times, and unconditionally?
This psalm also reminds us that praise can happen even in bad circumstances, not just when times are abundant. In a time of honest reflection, we would see He has been with us in all seasons of our life; good and bad, ups and downs, highs and lows.
The reason we can praise Him in difficult seasons is because:
He is gracious and merciful
He is slow to anger
He is patient
He abounds in steadfast love.
He is not like us.
We lack graciousness and mercy
We anger easily
We are often impatient
We lack love.
Where is the praise in the community of faith? Are we, as Corpath members, recognized and defined by the praise we give to our Holy Father?
The writer of this Psalm praises God with everything and this passage is indeed all inclusive.
Here are some questions to help you with your Lenten Reflection time. Answer them with complete honesty and humility. Perhaps, you may want to use these questions for discussion in an upcoming Corpath Forum group meeting.
What inspires praise in your life?
When do you praise Him?
Where do you praise Him?
Why do you praise Him?
Who is present when you praise Him?
How do you praise Him?
There are so many ways we can give God praise.
In our reflection.
In our confession.
In our predicament.
In our position.
In our profession.
Praise is a result of faith toward Him, and our recognition of His faithfulness to us. Our stories of His goodness in our lives. Our experiences of His goodness and mercy at all times.
When is the last time you sat in the stillness of His presence and expressed pure praise?
My Prayer:
My God and Father, I humbly bow before you today. I do so in recognition of your greatness and my smallness. Reflecting on today’s meditation, it’s clear I have not taken adequate time to express my praise to you for all you have done for me. You have been with me at all times, and I am truly grateful. My desire is to live my life in a way that is a full and clear expression of my praise for you. Thank you for your continual care and goodness to me at all times. Amen.
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
