Being “all in” does matter with anything we do in life, whether it be in a sports team, learning a new skill, marriage, and even following God. The heroes and saints we admire all have one thing in common: giving their whole hearts 100% in what they do. When you do this, you become extraordinary. It is easier said than done. What does it mean to give your whole heart to something? It means you are willing to be open to the different emotions it will bring on, both pain and joy. You are willing to lose it all to gain something more significant in return. During the process, you may fail even when you have carefully planned everything down to the details. It is when you fall, you must have the strength to pull yourself up again and do it all over again. God asks us to do this when we decide to follow him. He simply does not just want a portion of your leftover heart after you have given it mostly to your job, your family, or to your leisure times.
“return to me with your whole heart”
Joel 2:12
He wants your heart to be all in because he can give you more of his graces and mercy when you do this. Most of us may not understand what God’s mercy or graces look like because we have not given our whole heart to Him. Even though you may not experience his grace and mercy it does not stop him from giving it freely. Your love for the Lord grows stronger and more deeply when you are willing to put your whole heart into following him. Begin with having a daily conversation with God in prayers, get to know him by reading about his life, his work, and who his community is. The more you know about His life, the more he will start transforming you into extraordinary.
During this time of the Easter Season, God wants to cleanse our hearts so he can fill it up with more of himself. The 40 days of Lent gives us an excellent opportunity to show our whole heart to God. Go deeper in daily prayers, read 15 minutes a day on scriptures, biography and writings from saints, or spiritual readings. Give your time or money to someone or some charity that will continue to grow God’s Kingdom, and remember to fast with intentions by offering what you are letting go to benefit someone else.
Go “all in” and give 100% of your heart and see how God can transform you.