Wholehearted in 2025

by Annie Yorty

As I contemplate and pray over the new year, a theme surfaces. Wholehearted. What can God produce through me if I offer an undivided heart to Him?

Waning Passion

At first, my daughter loved the idea of piano lessons. Learning to play her favorite songs thrilled her. I didn’t need to prod Alyssa to practice. Every day she hopped onto the bench and tickled the ivories with the scales her teacher assigned.

Over time, however, Alyssa grew impatient with the pace of her progress. Other activities with more immediate gratification claimed her attention. Oh, she dutifully repeated the musical exercises when I nagged, but I could see her heart wasn’t in it.

Lukewarm Commitment

In a letter to the church in Laodicea, Jesus describes people as lukewarm. The taste of lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—repels Him so much He says He will spit them out (Revelation 3:16).

Instead of spit, some versions say vomit, like a gag reflex.

Why do spiritually lukewarm hearts leave a bad taste in the mouth of Jesus?

The letter describes a contrast between perception and reality.

The Laodiceans say they are wealthy and need nothing.

Jesus says they are “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17-18 NLT).

Jesus grieved for these poor people. Their hearts had turned from trust in Him to trust in themselves. Yes, they went through the motions of spiritual life, but they had no passion for God. Like lukewarm water, they lacked the refreshment of a cold pool or the comfort of a hot spring. They had no purpose.

Indifferent to God, they couldn’t even recognize their own miserable plight.

Results of a Lukewarm Heart

We spiritually starve without the nourishment of a close relationship with Jesus.
We exchange the shining robe of Jesus’ righteousness for the filthy rags of our own efforts.
Because self-sufficiency always falls short of God’s holy standard, shame corrodes our confidence.
Our spiritual sight dims, and we can no longer perceive truth.

A Time for Evaluation

In His mercy, God delivered the stern evaluation of the Laodicean church to prompt corrective action. His message also applies to us today.

The beginning of a new year provides an excellent opportunity to appraise our own spiritual condition.

– Perhaps you’re young and figure you have plenty of time to get serious about following Jesus. For now, you just want to have some fun.

– Maybe you’re caught up in the busyness of raising children, so you put Jesus on the back burner until a more convenient season of life.

– You decide to build your own kingdom during your most productive years, and plan to give more to Jesus after you’ve accomplished your goals.

– If you’re in retirement mode, might you feel you’ve earned the right to spiritually coast—just a bit?

At each stage of life, we’re susceptible to self-reliance that causes deadly indifference. In all these scenarios, we may go through the outward motions of religious duty, but our hearts are lukewarm toward God.

As we prayerfully evaluate our hearts, let’s look for any areas where the passion has seeped out of a once-vibrant relationship with Him.

Wholehearted Devotion

When Alyssa’s passion for the piano flagged, I required her to continue with lessons until the end of the year. As a strict mom, I believed she should fulfill her commitment.

God desires our wholehearted devotion, but He won’t dictate our compliance as I did with Alyssa. Instead, Jesus says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Revelation 3:20 NLT).

How generous and kind is our Savior! If you, like me, have veered into any form of self-sufficiency, let’s open the door to Jesus. When we acknowledge our dependency, receive His provision, and accept His loving discipline, He makes our hearts whole again.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:8 NLT)