“Commitment” may be defined as “the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.” It is that strong sense of allegiance that willfully seeks to be faithful in every way in fulfilling one’s declared identification with a person, cause, task, or ministry. Commitment is about doing what you say you will do.
On our recent mission trip to Cambodia, I had the privilege of having a front seat view of many inspiring pictures of what commitment is like. One specific picture comes to mind. In Siem Reap, there is a person who is fondly called “Papang.” He’s the father of the Filipino missionary who was one of our hosts there. Papang served in the ushering ministry of the church where he attended. He also was the carpenter-maintenance person of the primary school that his missionary son headed.
On the week that we were there, the church was preparing to celebrate its anniversary that weekend. And Papang was looking forward to fulfilling his role as usher at that special event. It so happened that the school had some carpentry and maintenance projects in which we—short-term missionaries from the Philippines and the U.S.—were there to assist. And in the course of doing some work early in the week, Papang figured in an accident with a circular saw. He had some serious cuts on his left hand that he was rushed to the hospital and had to be admitted. It was a good thing he did not lose any of his fingers.
The couple of days he was in the hospital he kept on insisting he was okay and wanted to be released. His concern? He did not want to miss the church anniversary. And he definitely did not want to miss serving as usher. In the end, come Sunday he was present for the anniversary, all dressed up for the occasion, even with a large bandage/cast around his hand and wrist, and a sling on his neck. And, yes, he served as usher with a big smile on his face.
Papang had every excuse, a valid reason, not to serve. But he refused to back out of his commitment. Sure, there were other ushers. But he had a ministry to accomplish. And he was going to do his part. Sometimes I wonder how little it would take to make us beg off from fulfilling certain commitments we’ve made.
“When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him” (Ecclesiastes 5:4 NLT).
—Keith Y. Jainga