“When you tell God you’ll do something, do it—now. God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it. Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 MSG)
Monday, as the clock approached noon, I went into the bedroom where Mrs. King was almost done dressing for an online aerobics class. Taking a break from “my shift” that begins around 3:30 a.m., I told her that I was going to take a shower and go to the store to pick up a few days worth of groceries. Yes, a few days. That’s exceptional because I apply the same strategy that I use in buying fuel for my car when it comes to food. Why buy for too many days? You may not feel like eating one day or the expiration date sneaks up on you. Well, as my mom might have said, “That’s neither here or there,” whatever that means. Nevertheless, let me get back to the story. I start setting out my clothes, laying them on the bed. I’m engaging in a little conversation before time for my wife’s yoga class. Somewhere along the line, I forgot about the shower and started putting on the clothes that I had picked out. Before leaving the room, Mrs. King pauses and says, “You said you were going to go shower?” I said, “Oh yeah! I did!” What was I thinking or better yet, not thinking? I put back on my PJs and headed to the shower, reminded of what I had said.
Sometimes we need to be reminded of the things we said that we were going to do. We need to be reminded of the commitments that we have made to the Lord. We said: “I’m going to go to church more.” “I’m going to study the word more.” “I’m going to pray more.” “I’m going to really get involved in the ministries.” “I’m going to be a better witness for the Lord.” “I’m going to do a better job of parenting, bringing my children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.” “I’m going to be a better husband.” “I’m going to be a better wife.” “I’m going to be a better caregiver.” “I’m going to carry a small amount of cash when I go to the store so I can help one of the least of these my brothers or sisters who are struggling through the pandemic.” The list of commitments that we have made to the Lord are too numerous to name. We probably have said one every time we prayed.
Like I almost skipped my shower and needed to be reminded, you may need to be reminded today of what you said you were going to do to shower the Lord with your time, talents, and treasures or bless Him in keeping the commitments, the vows you made to Him. Well, I’ll take the words right out of my spouse’s mouth that worked on me. Maybe they will work on you. “You said you were….” Be blessed!
“When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin. However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow. But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to fulfill your promise to the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 23:21-23 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King
That was so funny. I was like kind of shocked when I noticed you dressing so quickly and you had not hit the shower yet. It is a good reminder though; we do make commitments to the Lord and then either forget to follow-through or just change your mind, I am thankful that the Lord helps me remember what I have asked for help in following through: reading and studying the word more and I ask for understanding that I may share the word, too. I ask more questions about the assigned scripture passage for our Victory Classes (Bible Study). Sometimes I get a better understanding and sometimes I need more help. Either way I’m getting the study in and that’s the most important part to getting the help from the Lord.