If I've Only Half a Heart

We mentioned last Thursday night how our body was at the poker tournament, but our mind and sentiments really were elsewhere. That probably explains why we made an early exit -- but events since then have led to some soul-searching about our approach.

The following day we read about what NASCAR driver Jennifer Jo Cobb did before a race in Tennessee. Her team owner told her to drive a few laps, park the car to save it for another race and take a small paycheck. Instead, Cobb quit -- walking away before the command to fire engines.

Cobb wanted to race for a win, and would settle for nothing less. Even though we primarily play poker these days for ministry more than money, we concluded that should have been our approach as well. Consider....

No one man serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. -- Matthew 6:24 (KJV)

Jesus said God wants all of your service -- not a half-hearted effort. He added to this in a message to a first-century church.

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would that you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spue you out of my mouth. -- Revelation 3:15-16 (KJV)

Warm water might get your permanent press clothing clean, but Jesus prefers you turn up the heat -- or perhaps better put, allow God to turn it up for you.

You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. -- Psalm 18:28

If you only drive halfway toward the goal in football, you'll wind up punting the ball away. We should be fully committed to serving God -- and beyond that, fully committed to success in all our endeavors. It's an attitude that's, well, all in.