All In
(Read Jeremiah 29)
This week, I reconnected with a friend (R) from a lifetime ago. We met him when our oldest child was an infant and his wife would watch him each day so my wife and I could both work. Our families became best friends instantly. Even though they hailed from a different part of the country, we shared the same taste for music, the same humor, and the same zest for sports. One year later, they gave us the bad news that my friend accepted a necessary promotion and were moving.
We missed them tremendously after they moved. That next summer, we flew out to visit with them. It was like no time had passed. Looking back on these early days of our relationship, I’m perplexed by the fact that we rarely discussed our faith. If we did, it didn’t leave much of an impression.
This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:10-11
The historical context of the prophet Jeremiah’s passage was directed towards the Jews who were living in exile in Babylon. The people no doubt, were looking to God for an immediate restoration of their futures. God’s promise was true, but their return to Jerusalem wasn’t going to happen overnight. The personal application of this message speaks to us from a position of hope that God has a plan for each one of us no matter our current situation. God wants us to prosper.
My friend told me without hesitation that this passage has served as his spiritual engine for most of his life. He grew up in a family steeped in church tradition, with sacraments, rituals, and weekly mass. (R) said, “I’ve always felt a rhythm from these aspects of faith. Ever since I could remember, I’ve felt that God’s voice is true.” Unlike others of his particular faith background, (R) told me that, “My faith background never strangled me.” Watching how his mom prayed, filled out prayer cards, and how she lived her life, modeled what it meant to be a real Christian.
“I talk to God through the rote prayers and through natural, sometimes honest and brutal conversations. Even during my high school years, I could work through the awkward, challenges and always find my true self.” (R) said that just talking to Jesus helped him through the biggest obstacles. “Even now,” he said, “I ask God why he still puts temptation into my life?”
Fast forward 20 years, I visited my friend and his family while traveling to visit my son in the midwest. We were definitely a bit older, but nothing else had changed. We talked for hours, like the old times, but this time we talked a lot about faith. An awful lot! The Holy Spirit had definitely dwelled within us by this time. “A while ago, my wife and I attended Cursillo.” Cursillo is a 3-day retreat designed to help Christians renew and strengthen their love of Jesus, grow in faith, and extend that faith to others. “What I saw was a dose of unconditional love!” (R) exclaimed. He told me about the prison ministry component of Cursillo, and he said that seeing the transformation of people who were not exposed to a Christian lifestyle was staggering and left an indelible mark on him. The biggest flashpoint from this time in my friend’s life came from a statement in a homily during the event. Paraphrasing from the message, he said, “I don’t care what happens, be all in for Christ or walk away.”
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.
Jeremiah 29:12-14
Just like the Jews in Jeremiah’s day, we are called to set our minds on seeking our God with our whole heart. God’s promise insists by seeking Him, He will always listen, we will find Him, and we will be freed from the captivity of sin. I witnessed this “all-in” faith from my friend and his wife in every encounter I’ve had with them, I just didn’t recognize it early on.
Looking back, I have this sense of joy at the sincere authenticity and power of their faith shown in their relationship. I think (R) sensed this. “We look at the grace given to us at the altar as a source for the strength of our marriage,” (R) said. “Through some difficult moments and the times we wanted to run away, Jesus in our lives made the difference. (R) said, “We are two incredibly flawed people that no matter what, stick together.”
We saw (R) and his wife again four years ago before we moved to our current home. Aside from chats about old times, our favorite rock bands from the 70’s, or ribbing each other about our home baseball team, much of our discussions centered on our walks with Jesus. Unknown to us up until that time, 9/11 had laid a deep impact on our faith. Fortunately, neither (R) nor I experienced the stress of tragic loss that day that many others did, but we both came to a point of surrender knowing that despite the violence and evil in this world, our fate is ultimately in God’s hands.
“When you talk to God, what do you pray for?” I asked. (R) replied, “Ultimately, I pray for wisdom. I have learned to let go of a need to control everything.” He then quoted Philippians 4:17, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” My friend is one of the most articulate, sincerely humorous people I know. His faith is an example to people around him and to his family. He mentioned his mission is to be a legacy to his kids. “I want them to be aware of the truth,” he said.
The Jews ultimately met God’s condition of returning to Him with their whole heart. God responded by giving His blessing and allowing them to return to their homeland. They returned with their whole heart because God gave the heart to know Him first. Just as in our lives, all of the promises of God find a “yes” in Him. God’s plans for us are to have Christ in us.
(R) said that part of him wonders why we can’t just stay here on earth. But he knows that the bigger picture tells him that “faith is a gift.” He finds hope in his knowledge that “God is the way, the truth, and the life.”
God has promised us a prosperous, beautiful future. My friend (R) is staying on the path God set out for him. Despite the twists and turns, and the roots sticking out the ground trying to trip him up, he remains fixed on the trail with eyes on Jesus. That commitment is the only way to be all in.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
Key Application:
- Read Jeremiah 29 — Do you feel like you’re on a path God set for you or do you feel your life has spun off course? Connect or reconnect with someone who can hold you accountable for staying on God’s path.
- Correct the stumbles in your life by tackling the things you can control. Remain focused on God, His word, and serving others.
- In my life, every time I have looked for easy street, I have never found it. When I look for God, I find Him. Instead of looking for God’s prosperity, seek God first.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.