You’ve heard the phrase: “I’m all in.” It’s a poker reference; it means I’m betting all my chips on this hand because either it is so good (there’s no losing) or they’re playing the ultimate bluff. In life, however, being all in means that an idea is so powerful that you will make any sacrifice to protect it. I hear people say, “I’m all in” or “I’ve drank the Kool-aid” or “I’m sold out.” I assume that they mean some principled statement, but fortunately we aren’t always tested on our commitment.
When I came across this video today, I saw the face of being all in, and it is probably one of the most beautiful images I’ve ever seen. Over the last month, the United States has experienced some of the worst tornadoes in modern history. Just this past weekend, Joplin Missouri was devastated by an EF-5 tornado that has taken an still increasing number of lives. From the devastation, we get a glimmer of a man that was without question all in.
Click here if the video doesn’t play.
Don loved Bethany more than he loved his own life, and he gave up his life so that she might live. In a culture where we sometimes lose trust in people’s words, we hear a story of someone who made a promise and acted out that promise paying the ultimate sacrifice. Wow.