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A Note from the Preacher…Larry Sweeney Total Commitment         Those two words, “total commitment,” describe the depth of the relationship that faithful Christians have with Christ. We are totally committed to Him. We are totally committed in our service to Him. We are totally committed to everything that He is, to everything that He wants us to do, and to everything that we must become through Him. We belong to Him; He is our master; He is our friend; He is our savior; He is our mediator and advocate. We live to bring glory to Him, and to help others learn about Him and follow Him with their own lives (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).         A few months ago, Rick Laing, evangelist for the Highland Village Church of Christ in Austin, Texas, wrote a bulletin article entitled, Let's Get To Church Service. Here is a portion of that article: “Some years ago, my missionary friend named Dick Van Dyke in Swaziland (next to South Africa), included this in his monthly report. 'Missionaries are sometimes discouraged in the field, but events often take place that make him realize what he is doing is worthwhile. A young man who regularly attends Sunday School and AM services thought that I had forgotten him one Sunday. This seven-year-old boy ran all the way into town a distance of 4 ½ miles so that he could be on time and not miss classes. We are really proud of him.' I would not be surprised if that little boy had no shoes on. Maybe this child's love for God could provoke us to greater service.”         What a commitment! However, this picture of a seven-year-old running 4 ½ miles to Bible class casts a long shadow on many of us who profess to love Christ, but too often find excuses not to attend Bible class or worship, or otherwise fail to serve the Lord with our God-given talents and time. We are comfortable in our climate-controlled houses, automobiles, offices, and church buildings. We are pampered with the finest clothes, and the best food. We are the most prosperous nation on earth, and some believe we are the most prosperous nation to have ever existed in the history of mankind. We are entertained and amused. We are intoxicated with sports and leisure. “Our cup runneth over with stuff,” We have it all!         Or, do we? Could it be that what we lack is exactly what that seven-year-old demonstrated in running to Bible class? He demonstrated the truth expressed in Mark 12:30, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”         How can we regain our total commitment to Christ? Allow Jesus to answer: “One thing you lack; Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me” (Mark 10:21).                     --Larry Sweeney