All In for Him

During many years of serving on staff at a summer camp for girls, God has given me many illustrations and taught me His truth through them. I’d like to share one with you.

The swimming pool is a favorite spot for many campers and staff especially during those really hot and humid days of July in Illinois. Everyone approaches the pool in different ways. A counselor carefully walks out of the shower house and sticks her toe in the water. It’s a warm day, so the water is fine. Not too cold. She slowly walks down the steps into the pool, while girls are screaming, “You came!” and jumping up and down. She cautions them not to splash too much. She does not want to get all wet, especially not her hair.

But, the fifth grader, briskly walks out of the shower house, looks toward the lifeguard, and then quickly, almost running, holds her nose and jumps into the pool. She drops down into the water, feeling the rush of cool water wiping away the heat of the day. She pushes her feet off the bottom of the pool and leaps out of the water, dripping, smiling, and giggling.

Which one of them was “all in”?

Sometimes I see this as an illustration of my Christian walk. How do I know if I’m just dipping my toe in the water of my faith? Am I too worried about how I will look so I resist some things I know God wants me to do? What would my walk be like if I was saturated in God’s Word? Have I ever jumped into serving God with utter abandon? Do I giggle with joy when I serve Him?

What exactly does it look like to be All In for God in my life?

“You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, and with ALL your soul and with ALL your strength and with ALL your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

1. S. Lewis said that “Christianity, if false, is of no importance. And if true of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” We cannot be mediocre about loving God. It’s all or nothing.

I find myself often being mediocre. Do I love Him enough to give up what I desire? Do I love Him enough to be kind to someone who has not been kind to me? Or who has not lived up to my expectations? Do I love Him enough to put Him first in all I do?

An example comes from the lives of David and his son, Solomon. First Samuel 13:14 describes David: “But now your [Saul’s] kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”(John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”)

First Kings 3:3 (NIV) states, “Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.”

Except . . .

Are there exceptions in your love for and walk with the Lord?

I recently saw a t-shirt for sale that said: “I love Jesus But I Cuss a Little”

I love Jesus, but . . . 

Examine your heart today and see what your t-shirt might say. Don’t examine how much time you serve your church or how much money you give to charity. Or how many people for whom you pray. Or how much you do for God.

Examine your heart.

How much do you love God? Are you obeying Him? No exceptions?