Going All the Way

I have been reading a book by Ed Hindson called, "Courageous Faith" and am on my 2nd time of reading it. Incredible book and I would suggest it for anyone. There was a little story from it that I wanted to share called 'Going All the Way'...

Halfhearted Commitments never really work. Bill Jackson tried to live that way for years. He would attend church regularly if nothing more important came up. After all, that was a real sacrifice for him. It meant giving up golf on Sundays. It even meant getting to bed at a decent time on Saturday nights.

"God ought to be glad I'm here as much as I am," Bill used to tell everyone. "I'm doing a whole lot better than most guys."
The problem was, Bill wasn't really doing well at all. His life was as up and down as a spastic yo-yo. Everything was out of balance, and almost everything was out of control. What's more, he wasn't happy or satisfied at all.

"It doesn't really work," he told me one day.

"What doesn't work?" I asked.

"The Christian life!" he replied. "It's really not what it's supposed to be."

"You mean you're not satisfied?" I asked.

"Not at all!" he insisted.

"Have you ever wondered if God is satisifed with you?" I asked, peering into his eyes.

Bill dropped his head. "I'm sure He's not," he admitted.

"Maybe that's why you're not satisfied either," I suggested.
Then Bill looked at me as if he was finally ready to listen, like he really wanted to know how to make it better.
As we talked, I explained that halfhearted Christianity never does work. It's just enough religion to make us miserable. We know we can't go back into the world; there's no satisfaction in spiritual bondage. But if we don't go on to victory, we are destined to remain stuck in a vast spiritual wilderness.

"It's like being stuck on a fence," I explained. "You've come far enough to know you need to go on. but if you don't get off that fence, you'll never be happy. And you sure won't be comfortable!"

Bill paused for a moment. I could see him struggling inside. Then in a moment of complete honesty, he said, "If I go all the way with God, it's really going to cost me."

"No, it isn't!" I responded. "It's going to cost you if you don't go all the way!"

In the weeks that followed, Bill wrestled with God's claims on his life. Even when we didn't talk about it, I could still see the struggle on his face. Some people come to a decision for total commitment easily. But for others, it is a real struggle, and we don't dare shortcut the process. It's like giving birth to a baby. You can't rush it. But when it's time, it comes.
One day Bill dropped in to see me. He had a serious look on his face as he sat down. Yet, there was also a sense of anticipation about him.

"You're right," he said.

"About what?" I asked.
"About being on the fence, I can't take it anymore," he responded. "I'm ready to do it."
"Do what?" I asked cautiously.
"Go all the way with God," Bill said.

And he did. He committed himself to Christ fully that day. His whole life turned around. His marriage was better. His wife was thrilled. His kids even looked happier. But most importantly, Bill grew spiritually by leaps and bounds.

What made the difference? Total surrender. It's the first step to complete and total victory.