Commitment has several meanings, but most commonly it means the act of binding yourself – intellectual or emotionally – to a course of action. We frequently use the word in a context which indicates we share a commitment with others. In such usage, it conveys a concept that the course of action to which we are committed is one of value and benefit to a larger group, and not just to ourselves. A shared commitment provides energy and synergistic support that moves us along toward accomplishment of a desired result or state of being. Ultimately this is what commitment means: moving from awareness to action, and from hope to impact.
Keeping the promises we make to ourselves gives us the strength and self-confidence needed to follow through on the promises we make to those around us, and faithfully following through on our relationship commitments lets us fully realize ourselves as the interdependent creatures we are. In this service, member Terry Ford will initiate small group discussions in which our members will share and discuss their commitment experiences.
To prepare for your participation in those discussions, here are some questions for your consideration. The questions are listed in loose order of preference by the Worship Committee (at least, the first eight are), but all of them are worthy of discussion. Select one (or several, if you wish… or come up with one of your own!) and come prepared to discuss with your fellow members on Sunday. See you then!
- What commitment have you made that has shaped you the most? What commitment most deeply defines you?
- Do responsibilities and commitments drain you or motivate you? Do they give your life direction or leave you feeling tied down and hemmed in?
- How has your relationship with commitment changed over time? For instance, are you better or worse at following through on commitments as you’ve grown older? Or have you grown more selective about the commitments you make? Maybe you now easily break commitments if they don’t feed you? Maybe you are now more committed to beauty than work? Or small things rather than “big things”?
- Has anyone ever asked you to hold them accountable to their commitments? How has that changed and challenged you?
- If someone secretly monitored your life for a month, what would they conclude is your most sacred vow?
- What promises have you made to your spiritual life?
- Some of us preempt heartbreak by leaving relationships before others have a chance to break their promises and our hearts. Did this self-protection strategy really work out for you?
- What did your family teach you about “responsibilities we have to the world”?
- Do you have a secret commitment? A promise to yourself that no one (or very few) know about?
- When we commit to one path, we leave some other path behind. Is there a “path not chosen” that still haunts you?
- What are the covenants/commitments you were born into?
- Have you kept your promises to yourself?
- It’s been said that our very humanity lies in the way we carry out our promises. How have you made yourself more human through a promise?
- Are you keeping a commitment that is limiting your growth? Keeping you in a cage?
- Has society ever broken its promise to you?
- Do you over-promise? When you offer others your commitment, do they take it with a grain of salt?
Please join us this Sunday at 10:30 MST. Visitors to our online service are always welcome.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Please Click Here or use the link below to join the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83329247287?pwd=TzY3ODl3NmI3bmNkKzJoMzFpcCtydz09
Meeting ID: 833 2924 7287
Passcode: Chalice
Unitarian-Universalism honors the differing paths we each travel. Our congregations are places where we celebrate, support, and challenge one another as we continue on our spiritual journeys.
Unitarian-Universalists covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equality and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another. Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome.
