“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” II Chronicles 16:9
In the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks blew a 23-point lead in game four against the Portland Trailblazers. Tyson Chandler said he did not think the Mavs were committed and focused enough to advance. Jason Terry was thinking that this is the same old Mavs—the one-and-done team their fans had become accustomed to. But on the flight back to Dallas, the plane was silent, and people began to reevaluate their own commitment to the team. From the next practice on, a different Mavs team took the court for practice and games. There was a sense of being “all in ” even though they could not predict the outcome. Of course, we know the rest of the story.
There comes a time during the training of every athlete when you feel personally challenged to be totally committed. Nearly every team in every season has a moment where they are challenged to be “all in” for each other and the good of the team.
God uses daily circumstances in our life to challenge whether we are all in. The verse in II Chronicles reveals that God’s eyes roam the darkest and farthest corners of the earth. He is searching for those that are all in and entirely dedicated to Him. His eye also directs His hand to strengthen those who are all in. Through his hand He shows his power.
What could be better than to be strengthened by the God of the universe? It starts with you telling him today that you are all in. Like the Mavs, perhaps we should reevaluate our commitments to Christ. Perhaps we’re holding something back when we need to go all in.
By Eric Nelson
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