Devotion

Last year, Manuel and I sat through a marvelous Sunday School Class based upon Bruce Wilkinson’s Secrets of the Vine. If you ever have the opportunity to view the Secrets of the Vine DVDs with Bruce Wilkinson, I highly recommend it!   Although I had read the book many years ago, I was struck afresh at the beautiful word pictures Mr. Wilkinson presents based upon John chapter 15. In our final class last week, our lesson focused on Spiritual Disciplines.

What word(s) popped into your mind when you think of  the words, “spiritual disciplines”? 

What emotions coursed through your veins at the mention of “Spiritual disciplines”?

Are you like me and quickly “bury your head” because you know exactly what you should do, yet are failing to do?

Let us be honest…for most of us, Spiritual disciplines are something we know we SHOULD do, and yes, most of us probably have a deep desire to do them…yet, we fail. Am I the only one who finds it is easy to get distracted, weary or even some days just be too lazy to do them as I imagine they should be done?

 Mr. Wilkinson made a simple, yet profound statement in our video lesson—a statement that really rocked my world, as it was something that I had never really given much thought too—yet, it contains a large measure of truth. He challenged us to develop a life long habit of devotions—then he stated, “Devotions are NOT something you do! We are to be devoted to a person, to a relationship”! How many times do we become wrapped up in our “to do list” or have a “check list” mentality during our Quiet time/Bible reading? But devotion is so much more than that! Devotions are not simply a check list of the super spiritual threes….You know, the 3 things we believe that all good Christians do everyday. –sing a hymn/worship song –pray –read my Bible .

Hear my heart!! I am NOT saying these things are wrong. In fact, these are very good things—and we can grow more devoted and in love with our God through them. However, they are not devotion. According to the 1828 Webster’s dictionary, devotion means to give up wholly, to direct attention to completely and wholly and to (I just LOVE this!) be addicted to! What are you addicted to? What do you give your attention to? I have heard it said that you can tell what or who you truly love by examining your check book. Where is your money going? We spend our money on that which we are truly committed and devoted to. What about your time? What are you spending your time on? I believe that for many of us single income families, our time is as much if not more valuable to us as money. For this scenario, I am assuming that your check book is reflecting the basic necessities with little left over for frivolous spending….so lets look at your time. Time is a valuable commodity to many of us. What are you spending your time on? Do you waste hours surfing the web? Are you spending too much time in the kitchen (the Martha syndrome)? Could you honestly say that when you look at the 24 hours God has given to you, that they reflect a heart and life that is devoted, committed, ADDICTED to Him? For me, I quickly say, “Absolutely! I live my life in obedience to Him…look at me, I have given up______ to homeschool my children”…

ah, but the heart, the heart is so very deceitful (Jer. 17:9)…

As I allow Holy Spirit to examine my heart (Psalm 139:23-24), He quickly brings to mind, the many, many ways, that I allow other things to take the place of devotion in my life that He desires and deserves! Oh beloved, may  we all live a life of devotion! God calls us to BE devoted and not to DO devotions. Although, to be honest, “doing” devotions is often far easier than BEING devoted! As I looked to the Bible for references on devotion, I found that repeatedly the various Greek words of the New Testament that had been translated “devotion” contained similar messages.

 In the Colossians 4:2 “Be devoted to prayer”, the word translated devoted actually means “to endure, to continue, to tarry, to cleave faithfully to someone” and in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve 2 masters….for he will be devoted to one and despise the other” (ESV), devoted is a different Greek word that means, ‘to cleave, hold firmly to”.

As you consider and meditate on God’s original intent for “devotions”, you find it is a far different idea than what we are so apt to call devotions! God’s word shows us that devotion is so much more than checking off time spent in prayer, Bible study and worship. Devotion is truly a LIFE committed, a LIFE addicted, a LIFE faithfully enduring…a LIFE holding onto HIM! As I read these words, I very much got the picture that God knew devotion to Him would not always be easy…He knew we would have to make a real effort to continue with Him every hour of every day. He knew that we would have times of trials that would make it difficult to continue to cleave faithfully to Him. But a life that is devoted to God is a life, which knows these trials come, still chose to continue with Him, enduring to the end. May God bless each of us with His enduring, staying power—no matter what comes our way!

“Grant that it may not be in the power of any to rob of the pain that results from a firm trust in Thee. Whatever crosses or troubles are met without, may all be well within” Susanna Wesley