Whole heartedeness is something we see in Scripture that God wants from us, his children. I think whole heartedness involves putting our whole selves into whatever endeavor we do, even with all of our weaknesses and sin. Whole heartedness for us depends on Jesus and is in him. We want to keep going and going strong, even in the midst of weaknesses and all that involves living in a fallen world. In Jesus we can and must.
If we're not whole hearted in our life and endeavors, then we're prey to all kinds of problems, the kind that are destructive to our life in Jesus. And we tend to miss out on what God is doing and our own special part in it. If we aren't putting ourselves 100% into whatever we're doing than we need to examine our hearts and review God's calling for us, both general and special.
I'm afraid too much of our lives can be lived in a kind of twilight zone in which we're either just trying to survive, or we're floundering around in a questionable use of time and activity. A good prayer to be praying is to ask God to search our hearts so we can live in a better way in God's will. Or when we're working at a job or having to do what we really don't enjoy doing, or have a knack at doing, then we need to look to God for grace, and the gift of finding enjoyment even in those things.
In Jesus we can live as God has called us to live, and this includes being whole hearted, putting ourselves entirely into whatever we do. Of course that includes simply resting, as well as enjoying God's good creation.
What thought might you like to share in being whole hearted?
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3 comments:
Sometimes it is hard to be wholehearted about things we don't enjoy. I'm not sure there's anything wrong with that though. Just perhaps evidence that this world is not the be-all and end-all. You know? :)
L.L.,
Maybe then it's just being wholehearted through those unpleasant tasks we shrink from, do not enjoy, or are mundane to us. I know in itself, with its goal, my factory work isn't mundane and secondary. But I also realize it's definitely not what I have wanted or want to do in life. But I'm thankful for work, period, and the Lord seems to give me enjoyment in it (Ecclesiastes).
Okay, so maybe Jesus himself was not wholehearted in some things. Like staying much longer with his bumbling at times, disciples. When he said, "How long do I have to stay and put up with you?" or something to that effect.
Of course Jesus was wholehearted in all he did, and in his life. He did have his moments when his whole heart shrunk from what he had to do, like in Gethsemane.
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