Devotion is more than a commitment; it is a lifestyle that is completely surrendered to the will of the Lord. - GB
Hi friend, welcome back to another post. This week, I want to share with you a simple message that the Lord gave me this week.
A couple days ago, my husband and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. It's a lot of fun to look back at how far we've come, but it's also interesting to look ahead and dream of things that we would like God to do in and through our lives. However, as much as we dream, plan and reminisce, none of it would happen without devotion to one another.
In my short life, I've met several people with successfully long marriages. And if I could summarize their response to my usual question about the secret of success to their lengthy marriage it is this word: devotion.
As I reflect on my relationship with my husband, I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me in a gentle way about my devotion to Him.
How much devotion do I/you really have in Christ?
The word devotion is defined as "the act of dedicating something to a cause, enterprise, or activity." In other words, it is "the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal".
If you asked me this question in context of marriage: What/who are you devoted to?
My response would be this: I'm devoted to my husband. However, in the context of my faith, my response would be: Christ. But is this really true? Do I spend all of my waking time and energy ardently dedicated and loyal to Jesus? I'd be lying if I said yes.
Psalm 42:1 & 2 states "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."
True devotion to someone/something will bring a longing and yearning for that person/thing. David was devoted to God; so he longed for Him. And in the above verses, we see that he compares this type of longing to thirst.
Have you ever been very thirsty for a drink? It's quite serious. You get to a point where nothing else will do except a drink.
As summer ends and a new season begins, what is your spiritual life like? What are you devoted to? Or better yet, what have you been devoted?
Like I mentioned earlier, I felt convicted earlier this week as I struggle with my level of devotion to Christ. The following are three areas He dealt with me that I'd love to share with you
1. There is no such thing as over-devotion. The more you're devoted to someone, the more time you want to spend with that person. The closer you are to Christ, the more of Him you will want. Paul understood this principle when he stated in Philip 3:10 "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." His devotion to Christ was so strong, He wanted to know more about His death and share in his sufferings. A lot of times, we only desire to know the good things about people. But Paul wanted to know not only the good, but also the bad, the pain, suffering... Again, how devoted are you?
2. The more devoted you are, the more you will find a way. On one of my lunch breaks this past week, I drove all the way home just to be able to see my husband. We didn't get a lot of time together, but it was still worth it and I was glad to find a way to make it work. What excuses are you making when it comes to your devotion to God? Is it time? Job? Money? School/education? Etc? Where there is a will, there is away. If it is your desire to know Christ and spend time with Him, you will find a way to make it work.
3. A completely devoted person surrenders to the will of the person they're devoted to. The reason I drove home to see my husband was because I knew he wanted me to. At that point, it really didn't matter if I wanted to stay at work and keep working or not. My will was surrendered to the desire of my husband to see me. When we are completely devoted to Jesus, our will is surrendered to His. At this point, we begin to desire only what He wants.
Conclusion
Devotion to Christ is not just a commitment; it is a lifestyle that is completely surrendered to His will and way. And sometimes the will and way will lead you to and through some difficult, yet beautiful destinations.
So what is your week going to look like? Are you going to be a little more devoted than last week? Like the Psalmist David, are you going to long more for Christ? Will you desire Him more? Will you pursue righteousness more this week?
Prayer
Dear Lord, I surrender myself to you. I ask that you create in me a passion and a hunger for you. Lord, I ask that you stir up a fire in me that leads me to a place of dedication to you. Please remove any idols and re-prioritize the things that have taken the place you need to have in my life. Be the Lord over my life and let my devotion lead others to you this week. In Jesus name. Amen.
Stay Blessed
❤
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