It is time to move on. We all reach very decisive moments in life. Times when new commitments are made or old ones are renewed. The brief moment in time, when commitments are solidified, is of utmost importance. It is man and a woman saying their wedding vows to each other. It is a decision to remarry that same spouse, after a divorce has occurred. I know of two couples who have done just that in recent years. It is the decision to follow Christ… Committing to any kind of life change is a momentous occasion too. Those are the decisive moments. The significance of such times cannot be underestimated.

After the initial commitment is made, then it is time to move on. It is time to make that commitment come alive! Old habits must be eradicated. New patterns of behavior must be adopted. The old is gone and the new has come.

I find that making life changing commitments is very hard. I think I suffer from chronic paralysis of analysis. I also find that actually following through with significant, potentially life changing commitments is even harder. The journey on the follow through road is often treacherous, with steep hills to climb. My resolve to stick with the process sometimes lacks the four wheel drive needed to make the climb. The roadblock of discouragement prompts me to turn back, but I try not to let that happen. I have even driven over a few cliffs on that road a time or two, but I try to brush myself off and restart the journey. Perhaps most importantly I must realize that the trip cannot be undertaken successfully alone.

I am in the planning stages of an 18 week series of sermons focusing on the book of James in the New Testament. I have entitled the series: It is Time to Move on! I have found the strength needed to stay on the follow through road in this particular book. The words of wisdom are timeless. They are far more valuable when they are shared. I hope that my commitment to move on will be enhanced, as I share these insights with the church. My prayer is that the words from James will inspire others to make and follow through with life changing decisions. And I look forward to moving on with my close friends, as we all strive to follow through with the important commitments in our lives.