Get Serious.

A while back, I got serious about getting in shape. Prior resolutions to do so had fallen through.  In the morning, I would say to myself, "I'm going to the gym this afternoon." But by the time the afternoon rolled around, I could come up with at least two reasons why I didn't have time to go.  "I'll go tomorrow," I'd say to console myself. "Tomorrow" would come, and the same thing would happen again. 

I finally had a good one-on-one meeting with self and concluded something had to change if what I spoke with my lips or thought in my head was going to come to fruition in my form. I got serious about the matter and hired a personal trainer. I knew if I were scheduled to meet with someone at a specified time to do something, I wouldn't stand him/her up. That's just rude. I might stand myself up, but not anyone else. After acquiring a trainer, I started living differently.  I gave up some things and took on some others. I swapped out Coca-Cola for water. Burgers went by the wayside, and vegetables became more alluring. You get the picture.

Samuel had to give the same wake up call to the Israelites.

Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, 

“If you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, 

get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. 

Determine to obey only the Lord; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” 

(I Sa. 7:3)

If you're serious about something, it should show forth in your actions. Being serious about getting in shape meant actually going to the gym. I couldn't just think or talk about it. For the Israelites, getting serious about returning to the Lord meant putting aside those things that were contrary to His law. In a sense, Samuel told them, "If you're serious, act like it."

We can take this same advice today. What spiritual commitments have we made with our mouths that we've yet to follow up with action?  What have we resolved to do in prayer that we've not made a move toward in practice? Songwriter Mark Hall (Casting Crowns) aptly describes this in "The Altar and the Door."

Lord, this time, I'll make it right

Here at the altar I'll lay my life

Your Kingdom come, but my will was done

My heart is broken as I...

Cry like so many times before

But my eyes are dry before I leave the floor, oh Lord

I try, but this time, Jesus, how can I be sure I will not lose my follow through

Between the altar and the door

Get serious with yourself.  We say, "Practice what you preach." We need to add, "Practice what you pray." Don't lose your follow through.