All you can do is all you can do, and I’m doing all that I can.
Chase Outlaw, Bull Rider
We were watching bull riding one night on television and after an unsuccessful ride, Chase Outlaw (no kidding, that’s his name, how cool is that?) was interviewed. Of course, they asked these meaningless questions in a roundabout way. Like, why didn’t you stay on – because I fell off? How did you fall off – I didn’t stay on? Will you do better next time – if I don’t fall off and I stay on. You know what I’m talking about. Chase Outlaw had only one answer for the announcer, which he said with a little frustration – All you can do is all you can do, and I’m doing all that I can. I love it! He answered their roundabout silly questions with a roundabout seemingly silly answer, but was it really?
I think a lot of us in this world feel that same way – All I can do is all I can do, and I’m doing all that I can!! We too may say it with a high pitched voice and a little frustration. But, I think we’ve got it backwards. It seems there’s this constant barrage. The world is constantly asking for more, isn’t it? Our churches are asking for more doers. Support this cause. Advocate for this group. Fight for justice for this. Our employers are asking for more doers. Add this to your list. Do this, do that. Another deadline. Our families are asking for more doers. I need. I need. I need.
Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.
Colossians 3:2
Our churches, our employers, our families, our clubs are all important and all have a right to ask us to-do. And there are many more important social justice, political, civic and community groups vying and clamoring for our attention. But sometimes, I think we lose perspective. When we lose perspective we forget the purpose, we get it backwards. And sometimes we even forget why we’re doing what we’re doing and who we’re doing it for. When we lose perspective we too may say – all you can do is all you can do and I’m doing all that I can – at a sqweaky pitch.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
Ah!!!!! Our hearts. That’s always where it starts. Not a soft heart – anyone can have that. Not a good heart – anyone can have that. Not a nice heart – anyone can have that. Not a heart for people – anyone can have that. But, a heart for Jesus – everyone can have that. Having a heart for Jesus will impact our churches, our employers, our families, our communities. It’s a heart issue. But, it cannot be done backwards. Jesus must come first. Being doers in our churches, for our employers, for our families, for our communities, for social justice, in our serving, must be an out growth of our heart for Christ. Our doing cannot be a way to Jesus, it’s a result of Jesus!! Being committed to Jesus, having a relationship with Jesus, serving Jesus is where it must start. If not, it’s church for church sake; employers for employers sake; families for families sake; communities for communities sake; it is social justice for social justice sake; when it should be for Jesus’ sake. True social justice cannot be taught. If it doesn’t start with Jesus, it’s just a good people thing, not a God people thing. It’s just doing for doing.
Our purpose is to please God, not people.
He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
If we keep our focus on Him, if we keep perspective, we will be busy, but our attitude may not be — all you can do is all you can do, and I’m doing all that I can!
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
All my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into your hands.
For it’s only in your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus.