All In
You are uniquely made to bring the love of God to the world as only you can do.
“They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me.” Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cup bearer. But remember me when it is well with you. Please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.”
Genesis 40:8, 12-14
Joseph could have kept to himself and tried to just make it through his difficult life, but he didn't. Why not? Why would he keep helping others even though no one had helped him? Joseph was made to be a leader of men and one who glorified God with his life. For Joseph, it was not about what he could get, but what he could give that would give God glory in the midst of being in prison.
Loving God and others is about learning to live a life that looks to give not to get. Love does not depend on circumstances, but on your call to love like Jesus.
“Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust...I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart...Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let Yahweh be exalted!”
Psalms 40:1, 4, 8-11, 16-17
David does not let what is imperfect about himself stop him from praising what is right about God. He recognizes the value of his salvation and his only response is to exalt God. David delights in doing God's will. Is that your delight? Aren't we more inclined to ask God to bless our will? David lives to lift up God and in doing so was always raised up by God to newer, higher places.
“Go your way...Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might"
Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, 15-16
Do you love your life? Love what you get to do each day? Are you living in your Kingdom identity making a difference in the world? Are you living the life you are called to live? Are you giving it everything you have? We only get one life to live on this planet and wisdom says give it your best.
“One of the scribes came...asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” A poor widow came and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
Mark 12:14, 17, 24-25, 27-31, 42-44
Hearing and obeying. This is the call for those who choose to follow Jesus. Jesus makes the complicated simple. He takes more than six hundred rules and turns them into one simple truth. Love God with all. There is no wiggle room. You are in or you are out. Do you love Him with all or not? We all have to answer for ourselves whether we will love God with all of our heart.
He then gives a beautiful example of what it means to give all. A poor widow gives all she has and what she gives says everything we need to know about her heart. She might not have much but she trusts God with her tomorrow. With her actions she is declaring that she believes God will provide and she doesn't want to be found holding out or holding back. Where is God calling you to lean in? Give more, serve more, love more?