All In

My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Acts 20:24

IF WATCHING POKER ON TV sounds like as much fun as watching the grass grow, you probably share the majority opinion. However, poker has appeared regularly on television since the late 1970s. And beginning in 2002, Texas Hold’em tournaments have been getting high ratings. (But we’re not advocating or condoning gambling in any form.)

The most dramatic part of a Texas Hold’em match is when one of the players decides to go all in. He pushes all his chips to the middle of the table, willing to risk everything.

When we faithfully follow Jesus Christ, our lives are not a gamble. We’re already winners. Yet many of us nibble at the edges of a relationship with Him with “little bets.” We’ll throw in a few chips with God but keep many of our talents piled up next to us. We play not to lose, rather than to win big.

Instead of our trying to stay in control, God wants us to go “all in” for Him. Without God, our lives are worth nothing. That’s what Paul concluded about his own life. By going all in with God, you’re guaranteed to get a “royal flush” ministry—royal because you’re serving the King of kings, and flush because your life will be flush with opportunities to glorify Him. That’s what life is all about. So play to win with your life. Paradoxically, that means losing your life for the sake of Jesus and the world-changing good news that God loves us.

BOTTOM LINE

When you take a risk with God, it’s no risk at all. You can only win. So trust God and live your life to the fullest for Him.

Moment of Strength: Deuteronomy 10:12-13