Behind the Woodshed

Ultimately, they were arrested again, and when confronted, they simply told the high council to do what they had to do, we aren’t stopping. We know the truth and are committed to bringing it to light. They knew doing this would reward them with a long vacation in prison or a few trips behind the woodshed…or both. They didn’t care and rejoiced when they got what was behind door number two.

"The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus." (Acts 5:41)

Commitment perseveres through the uncomfortable.

It says, no matter what. It gives jealousy its walking papers, rubs a little dirt on pain, laughs at excuses, and steps on fear with courage. Otherwise, it isn't commitment at all; it's just wishful thinking.

What are you committed to? Your spouse? Your family? Your work, health, or habits? A particular result or responsibility? How about your faith? Be careful where you place that word, as what comes with it, you may not like. It's truly a risk versus reward situation. What are you willing to sacrifice to honor the commitments you make?

Even in the garden, sweating drops of blood in anguish of what was to come, begging God for another way, Jesus said If that's what you want, that's what I'll do. I made a commitment.

What about you? Are you committed or hopefully interested? When temptation, resistance, pain, inconvenience, or fear raise their head, is your heel ready to strike them back down? When the "high council" puts you in front of the jury of public opinion, will you bow to cowards behind their screens or rejoice when they take you behind the woodshed a few times? The greater the commitment, the greater the reward. The reward is waiting for your commitment.