All-in...

It's been a while since I played a proper game of poker.
I have only ever properly played Texas Hold-em, and whilst I rarely walked away the victor, I wouldn't say I was bad at it.
The problem I have is that I'm unpredictable, and because of that I risked too much. Maybe my character means I am guilty of going "All-in" too often, and the problem comes when someone calls your bluff, or the cards don't fall your way, or you misread your cards, or you are just outdone by someone else.

While my problem is potentially going "All-In" too often, I know full well that others can be guilty of never going "All-In," and therefore missing out on winning the pot.

Tonight at our Youth Service at Nuthall we were looking at Peter. Andrew led us down the normal route, reminding us that he was ordinary and simple just like me, but also reminded us that Peter was good at throwing himself into things, jumping in with both feet, and going "All-In."

He had mixed results. Sometimes he flopped, and at others he floundered. He opened his mouth too soon, or promised what he couldn't deliver, but he went for it, and those flops didn't quash his spirit of willingness to take the gamble.

​When Andrew told me about jumping in with two feet, my mind automatically went to this clip:

If that had been you, what comes next?
If that had been me, what comes next?
If that had been Peter, what comes next?
I think Peter and I would have similar reactions. If I'd been walking with someone I love, let's say Jesus, jumping and splashing and appreciating the company, giving it all I'd got, and I picked the wrong puddle or ended up in it up to my neck, once Jesus pulled me out, I think I'd be looking for the next puddle. I'm already wet and muddy, so what's the worst that could happen?!
Peter often had nothing to lose by going "All-In". Maybe he thought he'd wasted all his other opportunities, and this was his last chance to go hard or go home.

I think that's what I'm learning more and more that Christianity is... It's going all-in with God, jumping into relationship with two feet, going hard and giving it everything rather than playing it safe. The more you bet, the more you win. The more you put in, the more you get out. You don't find out how deep the rabbit hole goes until you follow the white rabbit. *Insert 1001 other clichés here*

Going "All-In" isn't a bad thing. Have confidence in your "Hand" when the hand you hold is God's. That can't be beaten, that can't be trumped.

What opportunities are going to come up this week to jump in with two feet?