Give it All You’ve Got: God Wants Your Best

Give it All You’ve Got

These past few days I have been thinking a lot about the various paths we take in our journey as Christians. I’ve been thinking about the times God has called me – and others – down a specific road only to randomly whisper “take a turn, I have a different road for you now.” And I’ve been thinking about how our God seems to love surprises.

Can you relate to that?

My guess is that you can.

But here’s what I’ve been thinking about most: whether life is beyond simple right now or you’re in a whirlwind of unknowns…I hope you give it all you’ve got.

Giving It All You’ve Got When You Can’t See Two Feet Ahead

A few months ago my family and I were discussing the number of missionaries we know who have left the field in the past years. It’s almost surprising to see how situations and dynamics can change so quickly. And, in some ways, it is confusing – why would God call an individual or family to a mission-field only to take them away? Switch the tracks? Change the direction? Why would He ask them to leave everything behind, learn a new language, study a new culture, live in a “strange” land, and then say, “your time in this country is done”?

And the truth is, you’ve probably wondered the same thing in some situations in your own life. Right?

God calls us all to specific things for a specific time. We may not know those specifics, but He certainly does. See, the lovely thing about following Jesus is that we can know Yahweh always sees the bigger picture. He sees the whole thing; looks at it from the “informed” perspective. We don’t. We are distracted, skittish people that cannot handle focusing on more than the step in-front of us.

And that’s okay.

It is while in those unpredictable, confusing moments that we have an opportunity to practice faith. Sometimes we don’t see the whole picture. We don’t always know where God is going with something or His purpose for what He has called us to, but life with Him never was about it making sense, was it, friend? Yes, His word is truth, and we can believe in full confidence that He is the one true God, but sometimes walking the Christian walk is just plain hard. It’s not always comfortable, easy, or fun.

I heard a pastor once say something to the extent of, “I wish I told the people I have led to Christ over the years that ‘dying starts now.’” That’s powerful, isn’t it? It is not to say that you shouldn’t rejoice in Yahweh’s love and grace or be overwhelmed by His goodness. He is indeed worthy of that praise and truth! But it is to say, the Christian life was never solely about it making sense.

Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Sometimes life doesn’t make sense. Sometimes you can’t see more than two feet ahead of you, but God is faithful. Just keep pressing forward. Give it all you’ve got and never give up.

Giving It All You’ve Got When You Don’t See Fruit

We are called to sow. To sow seeds of hope, peace, truth, and love into the lives of those around us. Seeds of life. Why? Because the world is dying. The world is dying in this tragedy of sin, and we need to wake up to the reality that Yahweh is calling us to bring hope back to the eyes of the brokenhearted. Not by our own power, but by Christ in us.

And ya know what, friend? It takes a season for a seed to grow. 

Being human, we want immediate results. We want a system that works efficiently and productively. We want to get it done. And yet the truth is that God doesn’t need us to spread His love. But He wants us – you and me – on this beautiful journey in a messy world. Isn’t that breathtaking? So, while we want to “fix” the world by sowing our seeds, God is simply asking us to love. Really love.

1 John 4:7-8 says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

It is hard to have passion and no fruit…to try and try and try and never see the produce. To work in the fields hour after hour and never once measure the growth. But always remember that it takes a season for a seed to grow. Sometimes we may not see the plants in our lifetime—but our job is not to reap the harvest, it’s simply to sow the fields.

So, keep sowing, friend. Don’t give up. Hang in there. Keep sowing. It may rain and never sprout; the sun may beat upon your face, and you never see green in the ground. Just keep sowing. Yahweh knows. He has a reason. He sees you. He’s smiling. Just keep sowing. Give it all you’ve got.

Giving It All You’ve Got in The Little Things

A few months ago, a friend and I were talking about feeling like we weren’t living for God in the little, everyday things. She said, “sometimes I think I forget that, in this moment, God has called me to be a good sister, a respectful daughter, and a caring friend.” I forget that too – my guess is the same goes for you.

Daily life can become mundane. It doesn’t always seem exciting or purposeful. But God is still there and He is still working. Sometimes we don’t see His hand in our lives because everything has become so habitual that we become blind to it in a sense. Isn’t that an interesting thought?

If you’re always looking in another direction, you’ll never be able to fully embrace, cherish, and invest in that which God has called you to in this moment. It doesn’t matter how simple it may be or seem, if God has put you in that position, situation, or opportunity…it’s for a reason. Don’t live life to change the world. Live life to honor God, knowing that what the world needs most is His love (1 Corinthians 13).

So, when your regular life of school, family, chores, work, etc. feels boring and pointless – I hope you’ll close your eyes, say a prayer, and give it all you’ve got.

Give It All You’ve Got for God – Because He Asked You To

I imagine many of you have heard Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” But how many of you realize that those specific words were directed towards slaves? Verse 22 says, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”

That puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?

Now that’s certainly not to say those truths and reminders don’t apply to us. In fact, the verses before 22 are directed towards the rest of the household: wives, husbands, parents, and children. We are all called to give every moment and opportunity all that we’ve got. Not because it’s easy or enjoyable but because we believe that Jesus is Lord, and this earth is not our home. This life is just the doorstep to our forever home with Him.

That’s why we press on. It’s why we can see beauty and value in the little, everyday things. Because we know He is wonderful…and He is all we need.

So don’t give up, friend. Give it all you’ve got. In the day-to-day tasks, the mundane, the frustrations. Not because it’s fun or simple, but because He asked you to – and He’s worth it.