6 Words That Will Change Your LifeSample

During my time as a middle school youth leader in Colorado, we often rallied our teenagers and made the three-hour trek northward to Lone Tree Bible Camp in Wyoming. 

The highlight of camp was cliff diving at Glendo Reservoir. The jump could range from eight feet to 85 feet and it became a rite of passage for many of the kids and counselors. Now, I’m not much for jumping off cliffs. And somehow, I had always managed to escape making the jump. But one year I got called out. Somebody noticed that I wasn’t participating. So a handful of teenagers started chanting, “Greg! Greg! Greg!” The chant grew louder and soon a chorus was ringing. Somehow, that gave me courage.  

Fueled by the cheers of my water-drenched audience, I charged toward the cliff at break neck speed. With one giant leap, I catapulted into the sky, with a great big smile on my face. All in. Totally committed. No turning back.  

I hit the water with a splat and flailed my way to shore, safe and sound. 

All in…with a smile. And it’s that same all-in attitude that God desires us to embrace, spiritually speaking. 

God was chanting your name—so to speak—when He used Paul to pen the book of Romans. He was chanting your name when He unveiled a salvation by grace through faith in Jesus in Romans 3-5. God was cheering you on when He used Paul to make clear the doctrines of sanctification and glorification in Romans 6-8, and when He unveiled the doctrine of election in Romans 9-11.  As Paul penned the end of Romans chapter 11, he couldn’t help but burst forth in poetic prose.  

It’s as though all of heaven is chanting for you, in view of God’s mercy, to go all in with a smile! It’s right after this that Paul writes the classic words, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.” 

Serving Jesus is not a “have to” It’s a “get to.” It’s the great adventure, the extreme sport, and that great leap that we can choose to participate in. 

It’s interesting that Paul’s words here are to people he already calls brothers and sisters. He was asking fellow believers to go all in to serve Jesus with everything. Notice that he doesn’t tell them they have to do this to be saved—because they already were. 

Instead, he reminds them of the greatness of salvation, and challenges them to jump into serving Jesus. 

Sure, there are costs to count. Yes, you must die to yourself as you pick up your cross. But remember, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. 

Jump in with a smile, not because you have to, but because He went all in for you. 

Geronimo! 

Are you all in? If not, what’s holding you back?