II Timothy 2:2 

In an airplane, on the take off roll, there is a point at which you have committed to the take off.  There is not enough runway left to stop, you are going too fast and you have to rotate the airplane into flight.  The consequences for not taking off at that point are usually catastrophic.  The way an airplane gets into this situation is to start from a dead stop and go to full power with one thing on the agenda.  Take off.   The take off is the most exciting part of flying but its also the highest risk portion of the flight.  At this point you have 100% skin in the game.

 

Making a commitment means putting some skin in the game.  Until you get some real skin in the game, you are just a spectator.  Skin can come in many different forms.  It can be money, time, possessions, sweat, feelings, or just plain skin.  Its different in each case but whatever form it comes in, it represents commitment for two reasons.

 

  1. It costs you something.  Throwing your hat in the ring means you have to go in and retrieve it if you want it back.  Put your treasure where you want your heart to be.   Giving up something near and dear, like, that free night in order to spend time with someone is how you learn to spend and be spent.  II Corinthians 12:15
  2. There is a high risk of loss.  The risk of loss will keep your attention focused on the situation.  It will also cause you to lay awake at night and figure out how to preserve the investment.  That is a good thing because it builds commitment.  That person you gave up your free night for stands a good chance of dropping out of church completely after just a few short lessons.  That usually makes sure you never want to do it again.  Do it again!   You probably will leave lots of bodies in the wake just like Jesus did.  The risk of loss is high.

 

II Timothy 2:2 has caused me to make huge investments in others and to risk a ton on them.  I have left a pile of skin in the ring and must admit I have made more messes than successes, but the few that took it to other faithful men make all the blunders worthwhile.   Is your life and ministry at commitment level or spectator level?   If it feels safe, peaceful and secure, and does not make any waves, you are probably in the bleachers.  If both the cost and the risk of loss are high then that scary feeling is called commitment.

 Take a chance this week. 

  1. Double your offering this week.
  2. Volunteer to help with VBS.
  3. Ask the Pastor what in the world his message was about.
  4. Talk to the guy that stands by himself every Sunday.