Wholehearted Devotion: What Truly Defines Your Legacy

Summary

Wholehearted devotion shapes excellence, reputation, and legacy. From athletes and musicians to biblical figures like Caleb and Joshua, devotion, not mere talent, defines lasting impact. God desires not just right actions but right-hearted obedience. Serving out of duty alone falls short. Wholehearted devotion to God cannot be hidden. It is visible, defining, and directed toward pleasing Him rather than seeking human applause.

What Wholehearted Devotion Reveals About Us

Wholehearted devotion is what truly defines your legacy. It is the brush that paints your reputation and legacy on the canvas of life. People remember you for what you are passionate about and do well.

What Truly Defines Your Legacy

Jason and Travis Kelce played against one another in the 2023 Super Bowl. I watched a television interview with their mother on February 1, 2023.

She said they were extremely competitive with each other growing up. Both were very athletic and committed to playing football professionally. We remember them as the first brothers on opposing teams in the history of the Super Bowl.

Natural Talent Grows Through Commitment

Recently, I nominated two track and field throwers I coached for consideration for entry into our high school’s athletic hall of fame. They are brother and sister.

He practiced with wholehearted devotion for two years to improve his throwing. She did the same for three years.

They both had a natural talent for throwing and worked hard to develop it. He is the best male thrower, and she is the best female thrower in our high school’s history.

A friend of mine is wholeheartedly devoted to assembling jigsaw puzzles. I am not. I am not good at it either.

I am passionate about the things I am best at and wholeheartedly devoted to them. It is probably the same with you.

My brother learned to play the guitar after he retired. I played one briefly about 40 years ago and quit.

My chords were mediocre at best. My brother plays better than I ever did because he is devoted to improving and has worked at it for more than ten years.

God’s Call to Follow Him Wholeheartedly

Wholehearted devotion matters to God. Above all, He wants us to be wholeheartedly devoted to Him.

Caleb and Joshua were the only two who gave a “we can do it” report after a spying expedition to the land of promise. God promised they would enter the promised land (Numbers 14:24, 32:12).

By contrast, God said that no one who was twenty years old or older when they came out of Egypt would enter the promised land because they did not follow Him wholeheartedly (Numbers 32:11). God expects our wholehearted devotion.

Doing the Right Things for the Right Reasons

Sometimes I do the right thing out of duty when my heart is not in it. I am guessing you have too.

That might satisfy our employers, but not God. He does not even approve of serving our employers that way, let alone Him.

We need the right behavior and attitudes. Paul wrote, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Ephesians 6:7 NIV). 

Doing the right things is not enough. God did not commend King Amaziah, even though he did the right things, because he did not do them wholeheartedly (2 Chronicles 25:2).

We cannot hide our wholehearted devotion. It defines us. People notice it. Our wholehearted devotion to God must be unmistakably obvious.

 

Whose Applause Are You Seeking?

If it is not, it is because we seek others’ applause. So, whose applause are we wholeheartedly seeking?

Photo: Image Creator (microsoft.com)