The word holy has a bad reputation today. A holy-roller is “holier-than-thou.” Holy is placed before any and all exclamations: Holy cow! Holy smoke! Holy malarkey!

Yet in the Bible, we come to know a holy God. Peter said, “as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15, HCSB).

The English origin of our word holy is “whole.” To be “whole” is to be complete or mature. Can we aspire to be wholly whole, or wholly holy? This week let’s determine ways to be wholly holy in dependence, character, thoughts, speech, and actions.

Holy Character

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31, HCSB

This morning I sat picking lint out of my hair dryer. I can’t remember doing this during my years as a working wife and mother. So why am I bothering with it now? Don’t I have better things to do? After all, wasn’t Jesus constantly about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49)?

Did Jesus do His own laundry? Did He take time to cook? I remember that one day He prepared breakfast for His disciples (John 21:9-12). Who prepared the bread He ate or repaired His sandals?

What do the seemingly endless daily tasks of life have to do with the kingdom of God? And why do I feel they are somehow less than what I should be accomplishing for Christ? Why? Because I live out of the misconception that doing counts for more than being.

Maybe you feel like that. You may be swiping at little runny noses and changing diapers. Or sitting in your car while the soccer practice goes on and on. Perhaps you are caring for a relative’s illness, changing bed sheets and washing pj’s. Some of you are permanent caregivers for elderly parents or aunts or uncles. You wipe drool and repeat the answers to questions that have been asked only moments before.

God’s Word assures us that life’s main purpose is to develop Christ’s character and the mind of Christ. Our attitudes are to become more like His. (See Phil. 2:5, 1 Pet. 2:21.) The fruit of the spirit passage doesn’t imply a single action that wouldn’t first grow out of who we are (Gal. 5:22).

Maybe picking the lint in my dryer isn’t the most important thing in the world, but I did learn a little more patience. This week ask God to rub some rough edges off a character trait that you want Him to chisel into your life.

Seeking to be wholly holy,

Betty