Sweating and grimacing we lunge with complete abandon for the goal! How often we find ourselves straining, giving all of our effort, focus, and passion to the compelling vision that occupies our mind – perhaps a promotion, or a mission, or even a sporting event. We will go the extra mile to fulfill that purpose – just like God in pursuing your wholeness!
I suppose you have never thought of Advent or the Christmas season as a time to consider a total immersion in God’s work in the world. But in reality the pattern that God has set for us by the incarnation can well be described as “ALL IN.” God was “all in” committing to our reconciliation so that we may be restored to His vision for us. We read about God acting through the prophets and the law and the early accounts of Israel – wooing people into a reverence of intimacy and trust in our creator. But in these last days, He has acted through His son, taking the form of humanity; emptying Himself, humbling Himself even to death. This is Christmas – God becoming human; all in as a baby.
What an astonishing model of being “all in” for the sake of restoring all things to Himself. And we are the principal recipients of that wondrous love that is indescribable. Would it not be appropriate, then, for us to likewise be “all in” for that same purpose? As we are the recipients of the complete passionate commitment of God, our lives may best be invested in a disposition of being “all in” for the Kingdom – reconciling all things to God that they may be restored in God’s vision of wholeness.
Blessings,
Kevin