Wholehearted: A 7-Day Standard Operating Procedure for Loving GodSample

The final posture Jesus calls us to is to love the Lord with all our strength. The Greek word here refers to power or might, the same word used in Deuteronomy 6:9. What does it look like to love God with all your might?

Might infers that we are speaking of physical strength or power. Service members are required to perform physical training and uphold specific physical fitness standards. Daily training is necessary to maintain the level of fitness required.

When I served, there were many days I didn’t feel like getting up to do PT. As I did it anyway, it became a habit. Now, I continue to get up early and put on my civilian PT clothes to train my body nearly a decade later.

However, Paul says bodily training has some value, but training to be godly is more valuable. Physical training is beneficial. After all, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We should want to live in a healthy body. However, loving God with all our might means we get up and do what he has called us to do. We pray, fill our minds with his truth—the Word of God—and praise him with thanksgiving.

As we worship with all our strength, even when it feels like we have none, the Spirit meets us and gives us the strength to persevere. Daily seeking God first lays a solid foundation for when life gets hard, and you can’t seem to muster the strength to shout his praise. His Word will be written on your heart and will sustain you.

Let’s face it; we are weak. Our flesh may fail, but our God never will. Loving him with all our strength in the good times will sustain us in the hard times. What habits do you need to cultivate to love the Lord with all your strength?