The Whole Nine Yards

Give God Your All

Luke 6:37-38 MSG

While the saying “give the whole nine yards” doesn’t have a clear history because it was used in different

settings the saying means basically the same idea…give it your all.

Luke 6:37-38 says, “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course,

you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be

easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely

given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets

generosity.”

The concept of giving God your all was an underlying theme for my dad. Everything he taught me, every

time he “coached” me on every subject the intent was always to give God my all.

He wanted me to understand Jesus gave everything to us and through Jesus we are capable of giving

our best to others.

The problem I encountered as an adult is that sometimes we feel like we are a salmon swimming

upstream. In other words it’s not easy. There are people we will meet who seem to intentionally make life

difficult because they are all about what they want. They do not care about what God wants. They are

determined to have their own way no matter what.

You probably know the type. They are determined to control the conversation. They do not listen well (if at

all). They have an agenda and they are more than willing to set an agenda for you.

Personally I find it maddening that they talk down to me and at me.

Instead of giving God their all they seem to be intent on getting their own way all the time.

It took time but I finally came to a point in life where I realized God was sending me a message…instead

of being upset and sometimes even angry, God wanted me to see I need to pray for them.

Then I realized the reason it took time for me to “see” it is because it took time for me to understand the

gift of prayer. See, we do not choose who we pray for…God chooses. Our task is to listen and let the

Spirit be our guide.

Giving God my all meant listening, receiving God’s understanding in specific circumstances, and receiving.

God’s love helps me to understand the hopes and dreams God has for them.

It’s multi-faceted.

Giving God my all means connecting, listening, watching, understanding, and receiving.

Ultimately, God has the answer…I need to connect so I can receive the answer.

While there are nuances in every situation the intent is the same. Give God your attention so God can

give you what you need. It sounds easy but it’s not an instant process. Day by day, minute by minute I am

still learning. If you choose to receive the call to give God your all, God will certainly be your guide.

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com