Honoring Your Word

One of my favorite lines from Shrek 2 is spoken after Shrek drinks the magic potion to make himself handsome and finds he needs new clothes to wear. After stealing two noblemen's clothes he declares to them "Thank you, gentlemen! Someday I will repay you...unless of course I can't find you, or if I forget." What makes it so funny is that he states out loud what is all too common reality. There are a few people I know who I can trust to follow through on what they say. If they tell me they will pray, I know they will do it. If they say they will show up somewhere, they will be there. But then there are so many others I know who may or may not do what they have said. Maybe they intend to, but for whatever reason it doesn't happen. Are you faithful to do what you say you will do?

And I always find it odd when people are sworn in or put under oath by placing their hand on the Bible. Doesn't God hear the words that come forth from our lips all the time? What difference should a hand on a Bible make? Here's what Jesus had to say about that..."You're hopeless! What arrogant stupidity! You say "If someone makes a promise with his fingers crossed, that's nothing; but if he swears with his hand on the Bible, that's serious." What ignorance! Does the leather on the Bible carry more weight than the skin on your hands? And what about this piece of trivia: "If you shake hands on a promise, that's nothing; but if you raise your hand that God is your witness, that's serious?" What ridiculous hairsplitting! What difference does it make whether you shake hands or raise hands? A promise is a promise. What difference does it make if you make your promise inside or outside a house of worship? A promise is a promise. God is present, watching and holding you accountable regardless" Matthew 23:16-22 The Message

Although I'm not perfect, I place high value on following through on my word. I don't need to make promises or offer reassurances. My friends know if I say I'm going to do something, it's done. And I expect the same from them. What would your friends say about you?