By Myracle Stevenson
Commitment-Phobe
“The Pew Research Center reports that millennials are significantly less likely to be married than previous generations in their 20s. And a recent Gallup poll found that the percentage of 18 to 29-year-olds who say they are single and not living with a partner rose from 52 percent in 2004 to 64 percent in 2014.”
It’s a well-known fact that a large portion of millennials is considered to be commitment-phobes compared to that of their parents and/or grandparents. Millennials, in this case, are counted as those in the age group of 18-35.
Why is it that as millennials we are so afraid to commit? Me, being in this category as well, can only speak for myself. I never liked the idea of being “tied down". Whether it meant being attached to one person, one idea, or one thought. I’m a broad thinker and I like to be free. As I grow older and become wiser, I realize I no longer have to run from commitment; I should be embracing it and learning to master it. Commitment in any aspect can be scary. I have friends who are afraid to commit to their significant other, or afraid to have children because they’re afraid of the commitment to the child. I even know people who are afraid to commit to a position in their job or committing to starting the business they’ve talked about for years. The truth is, society has given the word “commitment” a bad rep for us millennials. They tell us, don’t settle on the first guy/girl you fall in love with, date a little, explore your options. Don’t apply to just one job/college, even if it is your dream company/school, put multiple apps everywhere and see what comes your way. I’m not here to debate whether or not today's worldview on commitment is right or wrong. I simply want to display a different vantage point on the subject. For instance, how about looking at commitment as a focal point and honing in
on your innermost desires? If you see what you want go after it with everything in you. That’s true commitment.
Mastering Commitment
Commitment is very influential and can very well be a huge help in your personal life and your business. Successful people commit. Discerning what decisions to commit to will help shape you into an elite businessmen and women. You may have to start with small commitments like I did. I was visiting a church in Riverside, CA (an hour outside my home in LA) when The Holy Spirit told me to commit to the commute. He wanted me not only to join this church but also attend bible study on Wednesday nights as well as Sunday morning service faithfully. I won't lie to y’all, it took me 4 weeks to commit to this. But once I did all sorts of doors and opportunities started to open up to me. I didn’t realize it at the time but God was testing me to see what He could trust me with. The Bible talks about this in Luke; He says, “If He can trust you with a little, He can trust you with a lot” (Luke 16:10). This was seemingly very small to God and me for that matter, but in reality, it was quite the contrary. Me taking this leap of faith and committing showed Him that I trust Him and His word. Another instance where God showed up and showed out is when I was ready to expand my business and open my studio in Riverside. I committed my plans to Him and watched Him work. I’ve seen Him first hand take my dreams and make them realities. I’ve watched God move on my behalf like never before when I committed to Him and trusted the process.
It also says in the Book of Luke, “to whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). If you don’t take anything else from this article, please take this, the more you have, the more work you’re required to do; this goes for anything in life. Now where I am today, I commit all I do unto God because I know He will bring it to pass.