Wholehearted?

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8

The first conversation I had with Melody occurred when we were 12 years old. I had just moved with my family to New Brunswick, and I was on my bike outside our house. Melody was walking by and she asked what grade I was going into. Seventh, I replied. Upon realizing we would be in the same grade, she needed only one piece of information–my sixth grade average. She wanted to know if I was going to be any competition for end of the year prizes!

Even though I had no idea at that moment, my heart was no longer my own. Now, after 26 years of marriage, I literally cannot imagine loving someone else. My love for Melody is wholehearted. Wholehearted love means far more than just avoiding unfaithfulness–that is a very low standard. More than being faithful, I want to serve her, care for her, listen to her. I am hers, and everything I do, I do for her, because I love her more than anyone else.

May I ask: how is your love for God? Do you take pride in getting to church fairly regularly and reading your Bible often? Do you feel accomplished because you have avoided the “big ticket” sins? Is that really what God is looking for–people who are pretty faithful and don’t screw up too badly? No, friends–God is looking for people who will lay aside all for the purpose of knowing Him. And in the knowing, we find the purpose of life–glorifying God.

-Pastor Mike