3 keys to being a person of HONOR.

We like to leave our options OPEN. At least most people in our generation do. If we make plans too far in advance, something better might come along! We don't want to miss out on the best things in life. So if that happens, we should just cancel our original plans to go with the bigger and better option. But we can't do that, because we've been taught to honor our promises. To keep our word. How can we rectify the two? So we think: how about we just don't make a commitment in the first place? Then, we can wait until the best opportunity comes along, and commit to that. This way, we are keeping our word and getting to do the best things that come along!

Let's say you love camping. Your friend invites you to go camp out for the weekend and you don't have any plans, nothing hindering you. How easy is it to make that commitment? No brainer, piece of cake. Of course you'll go. It'll be FUN! Well, what about if you already committed to volunteering with your church at a yard sale that Saturday? that gets a lot tougher. Do you miss out on all the fun you could have with your friend doing something you love, or do you volunteer your time doing something that requires sacrifice? Okay fine, I'll honor my commitment even though it does not sound as appealing. Great. 

So, let's think... how can I be a person of honor and still get to have fun? Hey, here's a solution! Let's PROCRASTINATE on giving an answer, so I can keep my options open. I'll tell my church that I might be able to come to the yard sale, but I'm not 100% sure yet. Then, if something better comes along, I can say YES, because TECHNICALLY, I did not fully commit to doing anything else. Then I'm not breaking my commitment if I say I'm not able to go. This is how I can still be a person of honor! Yeah. No. 

1). STOP PROCRASTINATING TODAY. (NOT TOMORROW.) Let's admit it, even if we don't realize it, this is how our culture has evolved. We wait until the last minute to do everything; probably without thinking about why we are actually doing it. We don't want to nail ourselves down. We want to honor our commitments. I'm guilty of it just as much as the next person! "That paper is due tomorrow; I'm supposed to pay that bill; I need to let them know if I'm going to be a camp counselor this year..." The list goes on. What if being a person of honor doesn't just mean honoring your word? What if being a person of honor means laying down your own desires and wants to honor others?! Even if it means not doing the fun things you want sometimes, even if it means having to (God forbid!) make a COMMITMENT! And let me tell you, every day spent procrastinating is another day spent WORRYING about that thing that you know you have to do or say. It is hanging over your head. Do it today.

2). GIVE YOUR WORD. COMMIT! Being a person of honor doesn't just mean keeping your word, it means GIVING your word. In advance. You are showing honor to someone by telling them that you are committed to them; by giving them notice to plan. You are honoring them and their time by showing you care enough about them to give them notice of what your plans are. Treat someone with the same respect you want to be treated with. Do you want people to tell you if they are coming to your birthday party? To your wedding? To any other event or party you plan? Of course, because then you can plan accordingly. You can be prepared. I am always SO GRATEFUL to the people who tell me YES or NO! And I grumble and think annoyed thoughts with those people who just won't get back to me. And yet, I am that person who is needing to be contacted again and again to ask what my plans are. How hypocritical! "I know my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. (1 Chron. 29:17)

3). FOLLOW THROUGH JOYFULLY. KEEP YOUR WORD. Like I said before, we usually already know this part; that being a person of honor means keeping your word. But we sometimes do it begrudgingly. We need to have an attitude that says, "this is the commitment that I made, and I'm going to not only honor my word, but honor the person and situation by doing it joyfully." How loved and cared for will someone feel if you make a commitment, and then do what you say you would do, but give them attitude? Talk about what you COULD be doing instead. "Do everything without grumbling or arguing that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky." (Phil. 2:14-16). 

Ask yourself today, Am I person of honor? Are there areas where I need to stop procrastinating and make a decision? Do I give my word? Do I keep my word with joy? Do I treat others with honor and respect the way I want to be treated?

"Lord, I ask you to help me stop procrastinating. To be honorable. To love others and prefer them above myself. I understand it is the greatest sacrifice to sometimes lay down my own desires of what I think is more 'fun' in order to do what you call me to do with a joyful heart. Help me to make wise decisions and commit and follow through on my decisions. It is only by your strength I can do all things, even when it is hard for me. Nothing is impossible for you. Give me your eyes to see things from your perspective! Amen."


~If this article has impacted or motivated you in any way, let us know! We'd love to hear from you. If you are stirred to make some changes in your life and want to know more about City Reach Institute, contact us at 718-204-6471; CRIAssistant@nysum.org or visit our website at www.nysum.org/city-reach-institute.~