In with Both Feet, Head, and Hands
When people ask me what I do, I’ll joke and say that I play pretend in my mind and get paid to do so. While true, my flippant remark minimizes the work that occurs in an author’s brain. Playacting runs in my mind constantly. I can’t read a book or watch a show without analyzing storylines. When I’m around people, I observe and note reactions to later attribute to my characters. If I hear a good word or turn of phrase, I jot it down to be used later. I listen to sermons and podcasts, pulling out moral themes to work into upcoming manuscripts. If I wake in the middle of the night, my brain envisions different characters playing out their roles and lines. I can’t shower without imagining a scene.
I see the world through author-colored glasses. I can’t turn off my writer’s brain, but I don’t mind. For me, it’s fun. There are some grueling parts, but I push through because I love writing. I’m all in.
Peter, too, was all in. He was a fisherman by trade who turned in his boat and nets to follow Jesus and become a fisher of men. When Jesus tied a cloth around his waist and bent to wash his disciples' feet, Peter asked if Jesus was going to wash his and was horrified that his Lord would take such a lowly position. He tried to refuse, but Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Peter piped up, “Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” (John 13:9)
Peter made his share of mistakes, but he also loved Jesus with enthusiasm and abandon. My prayer is that my efforts and work point to God and become a form of worship that honors him. I desire for Jesus to be my first thought in the morning and my last thought before I sleep. I have a long way to go, but the baby steps are underway. Going all in for Jesus means leading by going the extra mile.
Matthew 5:41 says, “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” This verse refers to a Roman law, where soldiers could ask Jews or foreigners to carry their packs for up to one mile. If they refused, they were flogged. Jesus said don’t refuse and don’t merely go a mile. Go all in and walk with them a second mile.
Mark Batterson, in his book, All In, leaves the charge: “Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God.”
How can we go the extra mile for someone this week?
What’s one thing we can do to go deeper with Jesus today?
Dare to ask for your hands and head to be washed as well.