A Call for Wholehearted Commitment

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-6)

Growing up, we learn a lot—sometimes intentionally, like how to tie our shoes or practice good manners, and other times unintentionally, through the examples of those who shape us. But of all the lessons we pass on, none is greater than teaching our children to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength.

Deuteronomy 6 is one of my favorite chapters in Scripture. My Bible titles this chapter as “A Call for Wholehearted Commitment.” In it, Moses emphasizes the importance of loving God fully and keeping His commandments. He calls on the Israelites to live out these commandments themselves and teach them diligently to their children and grandchildren. It’s a generational call to action, a reminder of God’s provision and faithfulness, and a charge to ensure that His truth is never forgotten.

I have an aunt and uncle who rent an apartment in New York City, and on the doorframe hangs a small rectangular box called a mezuzah. The Jewish family who owns the apartment placed it there, as is their tradition. Inside the mezuzah are verses from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21, part of the Shema prayer. This ancient prayer reminds the Jewish people of the existence of one God and their call to love Him. The tradition of hanging a mezuzah comes from Deuteronomy 6:9: “Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

While we may not affix mezuzahs to our doorframes, we, too, can mark our lives with God’s Word. Perhaps it’s through Scripture displayed in our homes, memorized in our hearts, or woven into the fabric of our conversations. These reminders help us keep God’s commands at the forefront of our lives and teach future generations to do the same.

While visiting the Holy Land, I stood in the shade of an olive tree at the Mount of Olives as my pastor shared a devotional based on Romans 11:17: But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.

I was struck by the rich heritage of faith we are grafted into through Christ. Because of His death and resurrection, we share in the blessings promised to Abraham and his descendants. This truth reminds me of our privilege and responsibility to pass on this faith—just as God instructed in Deuteronomy 6—and now for my husband and me to teach our two boys God’s Word.

Later in Jerusalem, I found a silver ring with an intricate olive tree design. This ring is like my own mezuzah—a tangible reminder that I belong to God’s family and am called to live out and share His truth. Every time I wear it, it reminds me of Romans 11:17. Even more importantly, when my son notices, it provides a beautiful discipleship moment.  

How will you mark your life with God’s truth today? May we be intentional in loving Him with all our heart, soul, and strength, impressing His truth on the next generation. There is no greater legacy than a wholehearted commitment to the Lord!

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.