Give It All You Got

Wow, last night’s Game 7 was awesome and the series between the Warriors and the Thunder was excellent! With both teams extremely talented, it was fun seeing so many star players put on incredible performances. The Warriors showed that winning in the playoffs requires guys to bring their best and not hold anything back if they want to pull out the tight wins. Warriors’ Draymond Green summed up this mentality well in his comments before Game 7: “It’s Game 7. Game 7s are tough regardless. Both teams are going to leave everything out there on the floor. I don’t think a home crowd gives you the advantage. It’s Game 7. You got to go out there and give it all you got.” The Warriors are heading back to the NBA Finals, and it’s a joy to watch how this team plays together with intense effort. I especially love Green’s perspective about going out there and giving it all you got. As followers of Jesus, we can have a similar mindset with a slight, but important difference. I think it’s key for us to seek God with everything we have and not hold back from pursuing obedience, sharing the gospel, and standing up for what is right. At the same time, I also believe in a grace-driven effort. We “leave everything out there on the floor,” but we do so knowing that we are already redeemed and forgiven because of Jesus’ work on the cross. We go out there and give it all we’ve got because of what Jesus has already done, and our response to that is demonstrating a strong effort to honor and please Him. The Bible says in Mark 12:30 (ESV), “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” When we truly grasp the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, we rest in God’s grace and respond with an effort to love God with everything we have…without holding anything back. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m amazed at Your great love for me and Your willingness to send Jesus to die on the cross for me. Help me to rest in Your grace, and give me the strength to respond with great effort by living a life that is honoring and pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.