Are you ‘all in’ with all you do? That was my mission with my words of ‘All in’ this past year. In many ways, I succeeded and even received unexpected blessings. In other areas, my commitment was less consistent, but improving as 2025 draws to a close. The overwhelming lesson I learned with being all in is how choices matter.
My theme verse was from Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 22:37:
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
So that is where I began and identified how to love God with soul, mind, and body intentions. Some of the intentions/goals were small and practical. Others were large and encompassed the big picture. In reviewing them all again this month, the lesson became clear: choices matter.
Choices Matter
How I worked toward each of those intentions was broken into small choices-just like any goal. But what I chose and even HOW I chose it mattered. A perfect example of this manifested in what I term “doing the work”. We all have those things we just know we should do. But, just like the apostle Paul, we don’t always do them and even do the opposite. I was determined to change that, at least with the important things of my life. The large theme goal I wrote at end of 2024 when I picked these words was: Be all in doing what I know I should do and seek and follow God’s plan over mine. Little did I know how these words would manifest over a year.
So, I set out to do the work.
Do the Work
I had travel and events planned for late Winter/early Spring, so in January, I set course to do the work of creating and self-publishing Brain Boosters 2. It was an easier path since I had done the work in 2023 to write and publish Brain Boosters and had a preliminary plan. I created deadlines, prioritized this project, and with help from my designer, got it published by the end of March! Then, I set off to enjoy and be present with our plans for Spring.
I also made navigational choices in other areas of my life which reinforced choosing well and doing the work. When I did, it was smooth sailing; if I didn’t, I learned flexibility and changed course. I was all in. Which is why I listened one Spring day to a small internal voice prompting me to follow up on an unexpected message. That surprising message led to a contract with a traditional publisher and an obvious “God thing” for us both. I am now in the process of revising BOTH Brain Boosters books with faith-based content! I honestly believe this would not have happened without doing the work and making the choice to be all in with God.
Uncharted Waters
Since that whirlwind in summer, I’ve been all in trusting God in uncharted waters. Some inconsistent choices occurred while navigating these new waters. But reminding myself how choices matter helped reset my course. My best one was to keep seeking, following, and trusting God in the process, even when I didn’t understand. My plan isn’t His, and once I adjusted course to His plan (again), it was smooth sailing. But life’s cruise isn’t always smooth and daily choices matter. Which led me to begin thinking of my next word of the year.
As fall blew in, life was similar but different. But one thing remained true: do the work and continually choose to be all in with God. When I drifted off course with worry or trying to control things not mine to control, I was reminded of all I have and what to do. And I reset course again.
All In Stewardship
What an experience it has been to be all in with God! Being all in is simple, yet a moment-by-moment navigational choice. My overall takeaway? Give it all to God as we seek and follow Him. That choice makes being all in so rewarding. So often, trusting and walking in God’s plan over mine has revealed unknown and exciting paths to follow. My life’s waters may be uncharted, but I know how to reset when off course: be all in with God. I pray we all feel the exhilaration, peace, and joy that flows from being all in with God. It isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.
Reflecting on the past year and all He’s given and entrusted me with; I know my next word for 2026 will be steward. I’m excited to see how God directs me to steward my life well as I continue to be all in with Him.