How Bad Do You Want It?
Recently, I was walking around campus at UK where I go to school, on a warm spring day. The warmth of the day reminded me of when I played baseball in the spring, and how we’d practice on days like this. I was reminded of how hard we worked during practice, and how our coach talked to us in the huddle after practice was over. One question he asked almost every time was “Guys, how bad do you want it?” (The “it” here was the success of the team.) The question seems straightforward, yet so deep. Everyone answered saying “I want it alot coach” or “I’d give anything to succeed.” Of course, actions speak louder than words. Several guys said they “wanted it” but didn't do the work or put forth the effort to prove they actually did.
I’m afraid a lot of Christians are in the same boat. We say we want Jesus, but do we really? Christ Himself predicted this would happen, saying “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) Christians often say things such as “I would die for Christ!” or “I’ll do anything the Lord wants me to do!,” but they won’t even come back to Sunday night service or attend a night of a Gospel Meeting. Similarly, some of the guys on the baseball team said they wanted the team to do well, but they wouldn’t do the work to get there.
We are expected to use our talents and abilities as we have been blessed to serve the Lord. In the parable of the talents, every man was given a different amount, and later judged on their willingness to use their talents effectively for the Master. We are all different, and have varying skill sets to serve God. Not everyone is a song leader, or a teacher, or can lead a prayer, but you can do something! It could be as simple as having small conversations about the Bible with friends or coworkers, or helping with other needs of the church, such as visiting those who are sick, or even mowing the lawn, or cleaning. If all you can do is come back and support a Gospel meeting or a Sunday night church service, do it! If we truly love the Lord with all our heart, we will jump at every opportunity to advance the church in any way we can.
Friends, it all comes down to this: How bad do you want to see your Lord? How bad do you want to spend eternity singing perfect praise to the Lamb? How bad do you want to hear Jesus call your name home when He returns? If our priorities are where they should be, we will do anything and everything to get to that Heavenly home with God Eternal, and take as many with us as possible. I’ll ask the question directly to you friend: How bad do you want it?
— Landon Reppert
