All In!

 "Whatever you do, find the God centered, Christ exalting, Bible saturated passion of your life, and find your way to say it and live for it and die for it." John Piper, "Don't Waste Your Life"

All-in - sounds simple enough. According to Merriam Webster, all-in means "fully committed to something." In this watered down world, all-in has become a mere shadow of itself. To most well-intentioned, self-professing Christians, it can mean pray when absolutely necessary, go to church on the major holidays, attend events where there is food, fun, and free give aways, etc. Get the picture? Serving God has become a highly superficial, concert going experience...no commitment required.

We are children of the most high God - the one who spoke heaven and earth into existence. The one who put the stars in place and designed each plant and flower with elaborate precision. This same God designed a magnificent, intricate Plan B, just in case Adam and Eve made a mess of things. Oh, and they did!! 

Jesus, himself, was so all-in that He considered death on the cross joy - "looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 - emphasis mine) Jesus endured the heinous, torturous death on the cross - but His joy was knowing we would have forgiveness and life abundantly as a result.

What does God require of us - He wants ALL of us and not just when it is convenient. The world we live in is getting darker as the forces of evil thrive. It is time for God's children to stand up and be the light we were meant to be. Oddly enough, that will not happen unless, we let go of the things that tie us down and jump all-in with reckless abandon. What is your "God centered, Christ exalting, Bible saturated passion"? Isn't it time to find it and execute on it? Doing what God called you to do is the ultimate joy in life. 

All-in means we will lose ourselves and take on His identity - our desires and wants become unimportant. Paul said it well, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me..." (Galatians 2:20) 

Dear reader, let's take the plunge! It's time to be all-in!!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mind the Gap

This phrase – Mind the Gap – was first introduced in 1968 in the United Kingdom in the London underground. As the train stops there is a gap between the platform and the train. If the passengers do not watch their step, the gap can be perilous and result in injury. FUN FACT: America adopted this warning and changed it to “watch your step.” I have never been on the train in London or even the New York subway. I have, however, hit gaps in the pavement or at work and fallen or skinned up my favorite heels. One day I had an important meeting with a group of executives at work. As I prepared that morning, I put on my double-breasted black suit, black & white striped silk blouse and a brand-new pair of black pumps. On a side note, I wouldn’t have normally worn the new shoes to work, because I am notorious for skinning heels. So off I headed to the meeting, just as I boarded the elevator, my heel slipped into the gap between the platform and the floor of the elevator. That heel got peel...
Read more

Family First

  " For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, [ e ]  Father.”  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,  and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with  Him,  that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8:14-17 Lately, I have been contemplating family. Mine has always been close, then in the last 5 years, we lost our Father and Mother. Although I know they are with Jesus, I often wish they were here with me. As a family unit, we remain strong - my brothers, sister, and I still stand together taking care of one another. One of the guiding principles our parents taught us was that God is always first and then family. Interestingly enough our parents believed this also extended to ...
Read more