We make and break commitments at a rapid rate.
For society tells us that we need keep our commitments only so long as they benefit us. Look no further than professional sports: Athletes eagerly sign grand contracts to join a team and prove their mettle. However, should they perform beyond their negotiated valuation, or their peers receive increased compensation, they suddenly refuse to honor that contract.
We in the ‘normal’ world fare little better when our vows start to trend from gain to strain. And I think Solomon would tell us the problem stems from a lack of genuine pre-decisional analysis coupled with short-term comfort-based decisions.
I’m sure you’ve had an instance of regretting a flippant commitment, and I’ve certainly experienced my share. Over a decade ago now I agreed to run the Marine Corps Marathon. Not weeks or months in advance, but the day prior. I was young and optimistic but ill-prepared. I began the race strong and cruised through the first half. However, around mile 20 I unraveled. I plodded through the remaining 6.2 miles and debated resignation with each step. In the end I was glad to have completed the race, but knew I needed to rethink my approach. Solomon offered this wisdom on the topic:
“An impulsive vow is a trap;
later you’ll wish you could get out of it.”
While I have attempted to be more aware in the time since, I still occasionally commit myself without dedicating the appropriate time or thought. There may be little cultural taboo associated with broken commitments left, but that doesn’t justify the action, or equally important, the time/energy wasted in the conduct of an activity I never truly desired to participate in.
If we want to live intentionally and emulate the life of Christ we need to curtail this frustrating habit. For the example we set in our lives reaches beyond ourselves and can serve as catalyst for those in proximity to move towards greater reflection and honesty in our interactions. Jesus put it succinctly and elegantly in the sermon on the mount:
“Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.”
May we aspire to live with the same clarity of mind and action as we approach this week and those after.