Leaving Halfway: Going All-in

Halfway – adverb or adjective: 1) At or to a point equidistant between two others. 2) In the middle. 3) To some extent or somewhat - a) So-So b) Iffy c) 50/50

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“Oh, so you are just going to do a halfway job with that.” It was a statement – not a question. Hearing this phrase usually meant that in my youthful endeavors, I had minimally completed a chore.  I had cut corners.  The bathroom or kitchen may have looked clean at quick glance, but upon close inspection, there was still dirt or disorganization lingering. I had to do something more to set things in order.

As someone who values quality, I consider it a personal affront to put out or do anything subpar.  Doing anything “halfway” is unacceptable, and 50% is failure. Yet, I have found myself at times in unholy alliances with the enemy called “halfway,” and you likely have too.  Whether out of convenience or comfort, this companion has joined us on our journey. In school. In the marketplace. In ministry. In relationships. In our homes. In life.

Halfway House - noun: a transitional place where people with mental illnesses, addictions, or criminal backgrounds learn or relearn to be introduced into society.

Traditionally, I think of a halfway house as a place where people go after getting out of prison but before going home. Living in these houses become a condition of parole; if people fulfill the requirements, they can go back to society.  If they don’t, they go back to prison. Leaving bondage but not quite in freedom.

Ladies and gentlemen – some of us have been residing in “halfway houses.” Quarter-way, midway or more than midway through our lives, some of us may have more years behind us than before us. Living on the fringes of our own lives, we have settled for “So-So” by surviving instead of thriving; compromising instead of standing our ground; and shrinking instead of expanding. We have accepted mediocrity, when we should have demanded excellence.

It’s time to serve ourselves eviction notices.

All-in – informal adjective: 1) To be totally committed; informal verb: 2) To take the plunge.

Photo by Andrew Sharples on Unsplash

In poker, “all-in” means a player placing all his chips in the pot.  A player can go all-in on his own, or he can be forced to do so by another player.  He can go bust or boom! Taking this step whether in the game or in life requires risk and demands boldness. It entails putting everything we are on the line, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Leaving our respective "halfway houses" requires action if we are to get to a place of true freedom or all-in.

I’ve served myself 30-day and 60-day notices on several houses. For example, I lived in the “halfway house” of playing house for years.  I liked the comfort of a committed relationship, but I liked the flexibility of keeping my options open.  Not quite single not quite married. See in this gray area, I could rationalize my actions, but spiritually, I knew the truth: I was living in sin.  Before my godmother left this earth, she had a candid conversation with me.  She said, “Baby, it’s time for you to piss or get off the pot.  You need to decide what you are going to do.  You have been in this place for too long. He’s not perfect, but neither are you. Choose.” I received her words in the love and admonition that it was given, but at the time, I wasn’t ready to go all-in. Eventually, I was.

First, I had to truly commit to God. Saying yes to Him – not just once – but continuously with no bluffing. I would be lying if I said there weren't areas where I need His help to come up, but I am fully committed to a whole walk.

Your "going for broke" may be different than mine, but make today the day you decide to leave your "halfway house" and go all-in.  Have the audacity to do it!  Get healthy – spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and financially; go on the dream vacation; start your business; execute your vision; or complete a project. Commit to fully living your life. With God, it’s not a gamble but a sure thing.

Scriptures for consideration:

• I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16
• Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23
• No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. Matthew 6:24

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© 2017 Antoinette V. Barber