Saint James UCC of Hamburg, NY

1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Preached by Emily Rust, Beth Bimber, Mary Lehner
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Emily Rust

Good Morning…

When I was asked to write a part of the sermon on commitment, I tried to think of the biggest commitment I have made, and after some thought I realized that the biggest decision as well as the biggest commitment I made was to be confirmed. Confirmation was the largest step in my life that I will ever make.

Although, things and people in my life have come and gone, one thing in my life stayed the same, my faith. In life as well as faith, commitment is a large part of both. I contemplated the meaning of commitment and what it meant to myself, and all I could come up with as an explanation to myself was how my commitment to my faith is what gives me the strength to have my dreams.

Even though at times I have been told my dreams are too large or possibly even unattainable. I firmly believe that no dream is unattainable; look around this whole country was built on dreams. This country was at one time, and to some it still is, thought of as being the American dream. A world without dreams is like an Oreo cookie without milk, it just doesn't seem the same. I am sure that there is not one person in this congregation that can say at one time or another they have never had a dream or aspiration. I often sit back and wonder exactly how my life or specifically my dreams will workout and frankly at times I occasionally panic, because I can only see so far in the future and more then a few things are unknown.

Although there is one thing that I know in my entire life will never be unknown and that is how big the love of my faith is. For I feel, with the commitment made to myself and the lord, it will help me to continue on my quest wherever I go, and to achieve whatever I want. As crazy as this world seems at times and when everything seems to be to falling apart, I personally know and I hope that everyone can at least say that they have their faith to turn to. Heaven knows anyone can have faith, but to feel truly connected, I feel a bond however small or large is needed to be able to truly commit oneself to faith.

To the youth of this congregation some may feel at times that dreams are all we have. Life is uncertain for anyone, things go unexplained and mainly unquestioned, but dreams are what keep many people going.

I would like to leave you all with two quotes I found, the first is by the late Christopher Reeves it states, "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable." The second quote is by Gail Devers, "Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe." Thank You

Beth Bimber

Like Emily stated, being committed to your dreams is extremely important. But you also have to be aware that it's just not your dreams – they are really your dreams with your family there to help you along.

Family members – the old, the young, the hard of hearing, and the ones who never quit texting on their cell phones are there to always back you up. You can count on them to be there for you – therefore you should return the favor. The Lord's Prayer states that "please forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors". Do unto us what we do to others. If your family is there to support you, then you should be there to support them.

I have a great story about this kind of family commitment. Many of you know my dad, Dave Bimber – he's the one who makes the amazing pecan pies for the pie auction. For many years my dad was in charge of a marathon walk called the March of Dimes. For those of you unfamiliar with this charitable walk, every spring hundreds of people everywhere raise money to help premature babies and at risk infants. However, my dad took on a role in the event that forced him to stay at the starting/ending station during the walk. So, my family – my mom, my two sisters and I were there to help him successfully run the walk. My mom helped keep track of things and my sisters and I ran the pop trailer for all of the thirsty walkers and workers.

My dad could not succeed at running the walk without the combined efforts of all of the volunteers and our family. My dad required assistance – for once he was the damsel in distress – and my family was committed to helping him. We stood by his side every year of the walk and helped him make the walk a victory.

Your parents have helped you to succeed in life so far. They have fed you, clothed you, changed you dirty diapers when you were younger; later they might help you pick out a car, your wedding attire, and the names of your children. They have helped you through thick, thin and even thinner. Yes, they may have verbally sparred with you at times, but they do it only because they love you so much. They are committed to you accomplishing something with your life – the least that you could do is return the favor.

Many years from now your parents will not be in their youth anymore and someone will need to pay for their nursing home. Do you want your parents to be living in a cozy, warm assisted living facility, or not? The answer is clear – therefore the commitment to your education is vital to maintain, so in many years, your parents can be well cared for and not stuck living in your house.

Education is the key to surviving in today's technological world. New fangled gadgets appear daily – this one is smaller and more compact, this one can search the internet and call people, this one has 8 different games already on it! Computers are even faster now with new programs and new directions (in at least 4 different languages, just in case you wanted to learn about your computer in Spanish) are a fact of daily existence. However, without a good education, a life in a fast food joint will not provide your parents with their dream nursing home. At least a college degree – in a field that you can continue working in for 50 years or so – is fundamental. And the only way to get a good degree is to go to a decent college. And the only way to get into a decent college is to get good grades in high school. And the only way to get good grades in high school is to be a good student throughout your school career. You need to be committed to achieving high grades - slacking off in school does not help. And it can not be a half-hearted commitment. Studying for tests and completing the homework in one class does not allow you to be exempt from doing that in the rest of your classes. And don't you want a good education to so can get a high paying job – so that you poor dear folk can live their golden years in comfort?

Mary Lehner

But above everything else is our commitment to God and through our commitment to God we can commit to our fellow man.

Commitment is more than a few words muttered half-heartedly with the congregation. It is more than saying, "Sure I don't mind people like that." It isn't so easy, as most things in life are wont to be. It is deep and personal. It is one thing to say something and give the appearances of commitment, or to follow along with those around you. Commitment is personal and individualized. You need to be committed in your whole soul to God for your commitment to be truly worthy of what God has committed to you.

Any relationship entails some amount of commitment, and a relationship with God may be the greatest relationship of them all. Questions and uncertainties are always permitted, for God doesn't expect perfection. Through these questions, our relationship is often strengthened. He only asks for your love and understanding. Sacrifices will be made, and you may deviate from His Word, but underneath it all, there must be a total commitment to God and his plan.

A commitment to your fellow man is an immediate and magnanimous concern in everyday life that your commitment to God can be tried through. Our world is full of hate and misunderstanding, bred from differences that aren't as large as we make them seem. Differences of faith, government, race, and ethnicity. Differences in gender, sexual orientation, economic standing, appearances, and opinions. People have hated for less and more. A commitment to God cannot be forged on such foundations.

Jesus asked us not only to love His Father, but also those around us. In Matthew 5:44 it says, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you." Friends, enemies, acquaintances, relatives, and even people you have never met: they deserve the love of God, and at the very least your understanding.

First Corinthians 12:14 and 25 says, "Now the body is not made of one part but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body', it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body. There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." Differences are not reasons for divisions in God's love. A commitment to your fellow man requires you to love everyone, despite these differences. It may not always be easy, and it may also be easy to just say you do while in your heart you don't, but it something to strive. What is life but always striving to achieve a goal? What better goal than understanding and love?

Within this understanding, your commitment to God is fulfilled, for your love for fellow man is a love for all that God has created, and all that He is.

Commit yourself to a life full of God's love, and let your own love not be limited.