Sacred Whispers Blog

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’”

Matthew 22:37 NKJV

GIVING IT ALL

There was a time when I thought I wanted to become a firefighter, so I decided to pursue it. As part of my training, I learned not only how to fight fires and save lives but also how to perform CPR and work as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). I vividly recall one lesson during CPR training that left a deep impact on me.

Our instructor shared a fascinating insight: babies and toddlers are some of the most resilient people on Earth. He explained that because they don’t yet understand what it means to die, they fight with every fiber of their being to stay alive. They will exhaust every option within themselves before giving up. They simply do not comprehend the concept of surrendering to death.

Wow! That truth stayed with me, sparking two profound reflections.

First, Jesus calls us to follow Him with childlike faith. In Matthew 18:3 (NKJV), He says, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” This kind of faith is marked by unwavering persistence, like a toddler’s determination to keep fighting. It doesn’t waver in the face of adversity but clings tenaciously to hope.

Second, I’m reminded of how Jesus, our Savior, gave everything He had to give—His strength, His love, His hope—before surrendering His life on the cross. He held nothing back, pouring Himself out completely so that we might have life in abundance.

LIFE CAN BE HEAVY

We all know that life can weigh us down. The scars and burdens of this broken world make it easy to lose hope, grow weary, and doubt. But just as a baby or toddler will give their all because they don’t know how to quit, we too, as children of God, can give our all through Christ. He has already paid the price for us, offering His very life so that we could have life in abundance.  His sacrifice challenges us to remember that there is always more in us than we realize.

Isaiah 40:31 reminds us: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” This promise assures us that, as children of God, we have access to divine strength. Like a toddler who fights for life with every ounce of energy, we can rise up and persist, knowing that the One who gave His all for us is working in and through us.

CHILDLIKE FAITH AND SACRIFICE

The beauty of childlike faith lies in its simplicity and resilience. It trusts without hesitation, hopes without doubting, and presses on without quitting. As we face challenges, Jesus invites us to adopt this same posture—to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This commandment echoed in Matthew 22:37, is not merely an obligation; it is an invitation to a life of full surrender and abundant joy.

Martin Luther once said, “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” This statement reminds us that surrendering all to God is not about losing; it is about gaining. When we give Him our all, we receive His strength, His peace, and His purpose in return.

When life feels overwhelming, remember this truth: Jesus gave His all for you. He didn’t hold back His love or His sacrifice. As His followers, we are called to give our all to Him—not in our own strength, but through the strength He provides.

PRAYER

Father, sometimes it feels so hard to give You my all, even though I know You deserve it. Life can be overwhelming, and weariness often clouds my vision. Thank You for being the ultimate example of surrender, showing me how to love with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind. I pray for Your strength to keep going when I feel like giving up. Help me to trust in Your promises and to fight the good fight with childlike faith, knowing that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DAILY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

Spend time reflecting on areas of your life where you may be holding back from God. Are you fully surrendering your heart, soul, and mind to Him? Write these areas down and ask the Holy Spirit for strength to give them over completely.

As you go about your day, practice persistence in loving God with your whole being. Each time you feel weary, meditate on Isaiah 40:31. Remind yourself that God renews the strength of those who wait on Him and empowers them to rise above every obstacle.