As I reflect on 2017, I think I could best sum it up in the word commitment. Over the recent months, long-term commitments in my life, like living in the same house, working at the same job, going to the same church, and keeping up with the same friends have become increasingly valuable to me. I've realized more and more how vital commitment is in so many aspects of life, especially in the midst of a generation of non-committal drifters.
To our individualistic society, commitment is a thing to be avoided as long as possible. It stifles our freedom and ruins our fun -- we need to keep our options open, be careful not to get too tied down. Something better might come along, you never know, and it would be a shame if you had to pass it up because you were already stuck with something else. Even advertisements win our business with enticing claims of "no commitments!" Commitment is a nice sentiment for marriage, but most would prefer to keep it there...and not take it too seriously even then. Many people are forever in search of something better so they can move on from whatever they already have in a quest for novelty.
But we don't need a new place, position, or person in order to find novelty and excitement -- there is plenty to be found within our commitments. Commitment is not to be feared as a boring cage to keep us from enjoyment, but welcomed for the security and freedom it brings. Jesus asked for commitment from His followers, not to restrict them, but to open to them a new, abundant life. He showed us what commitment looks like by becoming one of us and giving Himself for our sake so that we could have an eternal relationship with Him. Our earthly commitments matter to Him as well -- should we not give them our all?