In 2010, as members of the SEC, the Auburn Tigers went undefeated in the regular season and capped off a perfect season by defeating the Oregon Ducks in the BCS National Championship game. What made the feat more amazing is the fact that they went undefeated while participating in the toughest football conference in NCAA Division 1 football.
What does it take to go undefeated and win a national championship in college football?
It takes a wholehearted commitment to give your best from every single player on the team. The Auburn Tigers came up with a slogan during the year to remind them of this commitment: All In!
Before I asked my wife to marry me, I went and purchased an expensive diamond wedding ring. Facing each other on the altar of the church where we were married, we exchanged rings and said our vows to one another. The vows included these words of commitment to our marriage relationship: “to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.” We were “All In”!
What does it take to have a successful marriage?
After fourteen years of marriage, I have learned that it takes a wholehearted commitment from both the husband and wife. This means that both the husband and wife are constantly willing to sacrifice for each other, and serve one another in love. Anything less than total commitment to a marriage will eventually destroy it.
While flipping back and forth from the AMC channel, that was featuring a week of “Rocky” movies, and my favorite news channels, I was reminded that Rocky fought his best when he was wholeheartedly committed to the fight. In order to fight well, he had to accept Mickey’s offer to train him, overcome physical injuries and Adrian’s concerns about him fighting, and conquer his own personal fears.
How did Rocky defeat Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang and Ivan Drago?
Rocky beat all three of these fierce competitors in the ring by giving an all-out effort in each of these fights. Rocky won on heart and perseverance. He was “All In”!
Jesus Christ came to earth from heaven to save people from their sins, preach about and demonstrate the Kingdom of God, and reveal to us our Heavenly Father’s will for our lives. His death on the cross was a sign that he was wholeheartedly committed to his mission. At the cross, Jesus manifested God’s love, upheld God’s holiness, and administered God’s justice in dealing with humanity’s transgressions. Jesus was “All In”!
What kind of effort does it take to serve our Lord well?
After twenty-one years of walking with our Lord, I have learned that a half-hearted commitment will not suffice if you want to serve Him well. It takes self-denial, sacrifice and a daily devotion to follow the Lord as He leads. In fact, Jesus taught his followers this in the Great Commandment. It says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38). Jesus expects us to be “All In”!
Whether you are competing for a national championship, maintaining a successful marriage, winning a title fight, or serving our Lord, it takes a wholehearted commitment. Nothing great is ever attained in life without an all-out effort.
As you serve the Lord and live your life, make sure in whatever you do you are: All In!
