Texas Hold Em and The Christian

If you have ever played the poker, especially Texas Hold ‘Em, (yes, I am a Christian who actually plays poker…I’ll save that for another entry) you are familiar with the term “I’m all in.”

This simply means that a player is willing to put all the chips on the line and bet that they have the best hand at the table, or in some cases it means that they are praying no one calls their bluff.

But for the sake of this entry, the context is they really believe they have the best poker hand.

When other players hear these words they know it’s probably going to be a game changer.

From there the combination of skill and luck join forces to decide the fate of the player going all in and whether they will be going home or sticking around with a chance at the big prize.

So what does this example have to do with being a Christian you might ask?

As I was spending time with the Lord this morning I came across a passage that I had read before, but today it really stuck out to me. I was reading John 17. The chapter focuses on Jesus and his conversation with the Father right before He would fulfill His mission on the Cross.

He was so intimate with the Father and His prayers in this chapter teach us so much about what it means to follow Him.

Specifically verses 17-19. Jesus prays for us, you and me the believer, and asks the Father to “make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth.” He then goes on to make a statement as to what the purpose of the purity and holiness is…”I am sending them into the world.”

And then He hits me right in the face with verse 19 and this statement…”And I give myself entirely to you….” Essentially Jesus went “all in” with the hand He was dealt.

This is right before He went to the Garden to ask the Father to remove the cup (a brutal death on the Cross), was betrayed by a close friend, falsely accused, unmercifully tortured, publicly ridiculed, and finally experiencing a horrific death.

He knew what was coming, but nevertheless He was “all in” for the Father. Why? Why would He do that? Verse 19 tells us…”so they might be entirely yours.”

He went “all in” for us, so that we might be “all in” for the Father. We get to skip all the terrible sufferings Jesus went through by simply putting our faith in Him.

As I reflect on this I ask myself: “Am I all in.”

To be honest…no! I still let the circumstances of my life tempt me to worry (essentially be full of pride and faithlessness). I still allow myself to think that I can devote my life to “working on and in” a ministry without spending quality time getting to know the one whom I minister for.

I still allow my heart to drift and grow cold towards others and not see (and sometimes not care about) what they are going through in their lives.

But the beauty of Jesus is His faithfulness. He came to do a job, and is still doing His job. In John 17:26 Jesus continues in His prayer saying “And I have revealed you to them and will KEEP on revealing you. I will do this so that your love for me may be in them and I in them.”

Yesterday is done never to return. Tomorrow is not yet and may never be. So today, right now, I am officially “all in!”

I ask you to join me in reflecting on the prayers of Jesus in John 17 and give yourself entirely to Him today. I encourage you to reflect today and declare yourself “all in.” Then know you are sent into the world to complete the mission of Christ and serve the Father.

Let’s push all our chips into the center of the table with confidence. After all, we know we have the best hands at the table…nail pierced hands that bring us Eternal Life. Now that’s a game changer!

Texas Hold Em and The Christian

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