Wholeheartedly

"But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted".

Romans 6:17

Wholeheartedly.  A word that means completely and sincerely devoted, determined, or enthusiastic, marked by complete earnest commitment : free from all reserve or hesitation.  Looking at this verse, it hits me like a two ton hammer on my head like a nail.  How easily I'm tossed about on the waves as my life continues to ebb and flow, sometimes riding high on faith, and sometimes falling into traps of selfishness.  I can describe myself as many things, but wholehearted isn't always one of them.

Chapter 6 seems to be all about choices.  God has given us new life - now we can be certain that sin's power is broken.  Our old self is dead - now we can see ourselves as alive in the new.  We have freedom, and freedom to choose our new master - now we can commit ourselves to Christ.  As a new creation in Christ, we aren't all happy little robots re-programmed to follow commands.  We still have to decide what our choices will be...yet we cannot choose the consequences (those are quite clear - see verse 23).

I don't know what you're dealing with in your life, or what situations you're maybe trying to handle on your own.  Maybe, like me, you're feeling a little bit lost with your choices.  If so, then join me.  I am taking today as one to re-focus, pray, and then take an honest look at where I'm failing (where am I weak or tempted).  I need to lean on God for strength and most definitely grace.  Wholeheartedly.