Just Ok Is Not Ok

This past year, I’ve gotten a kick out of the AT&T commercials. Now I’m not pro-AT&T but check out a compilation of their “just ok is not ok” commercials.

I think there are many of us out there that are “just ok” with our faith. Are you just “ok” with your faith? Do you feel close enough to God?  Just ok? I have been recently teaching a series to my youth at church about being all in for Jesus, instead of being almost for Jesus.

Ok is the answer that most of us give to someone when we don’t want to go deep about how we are really feeling. “I’m ok” I feel that sometimes we think that just a Bible-verse of the day and going to church is enough for our faith. If that is the case then you are a “just ok” Christian and are missing out on so much more.  I don’t know about you, but “just ok” is not ok for me. I want to know God more…..But how?

 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

Luke 10:27

We are called to love God, with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind.

Love God with all our Heart – Intentionally determine and enthusiastically set your love on God by determining that the primary goal of your life is to pursue living the first commandment. This love for God will then reflect outward. It’s hard to love others if you cannot love God. The love you have for God should be greater than the love you have for anyone or anything else. The more love you have for God, the more you have to pour out on others.

Love God with all our mind –When we fall in love, we study them, the things they are interested in, favorite color, movies, flowers, etc. A good marriage is a result of constantly studying our spouse. They become our person. The call to love God with all our mind is to study God.  Fill your mind with things that inspire you to love God and not things that take you away from Him. Take time to fill your mind with His Word rather than beige watch Netflix or Disney +. What we do with our mind affects our ability to receive and express love.

Love God with all our strength – We express love for God in how we use our strength. This isn’t strength like a lumberjacking competition. The Greek word for strength in Luke 10:27 is ischus which also means might or power. Our strength or might, or power is our resources such as time, money, talents, words, and influence. God takes great delight in the small things we do that invest our strength in ways that express love for Him and help others to love Him. He loves when we serve others (inside and outside the church), give, pray, and bless others.

Love God with all our soul – When we exert our energy to center and realign our heart on our relationship with God, we are loving Him with our Soul. To be more holy and godly, rather than focus on our own recognition or accomplishments. When our identity and very existence is to glorify God first, over ourselves. Giving our very being to God.

The commands to love God, are more than just being ok with Him. Its to be all in, its to learn and do things for Him. With ALL of our heart, and ALL of our mind, and ALL of our strength, and ALL of our soul. Going ALL in is more than ok, it’s great!

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Father God,

Help us to grow more in you. Help us to press in and lean onto you. Let us be strong lights in a world of darkness. Let us learn more about you. We are called to love you, with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. Please mold us daily to look more like your Son. Let us be more than ok with you.

In Your Son Jesus’ name

Amen