Would you say you are a devoted person? To what? Are there many… or few things, people that are the focus of your devotion? How do you express your devotion? Would anyone know? Let’s start simple – how do you define ‘devotion’? I probably should ask if you have operationalized your definition. Is there (what is) the expression of your definition?
According to MWebster dictionary:
” religious fervor : PIETY; an act of prayer or private worship —usually used in plural during his morning devotions; a religious exercise or practice; the act of dedicating something to a cause, enterprise, or activity : the act of devoting the devotion of a great deal of time and energy; the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal …”
Is this how you would describe your thoughts and actions? More important, is this how you define devotion? The best scriptural definition I could find is in James 1 and it comes with a warning:
“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. ” [James 1:22 AMP]
Does this verse ‘give feet’ to the expression of devotion? It may seem easy to use the word, but so much more difficult to demonstrate it. Is it important? Yes. Especially when we consider it in relation to how we express this about/to our Lord. Continuing with James,
“For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but [c]an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].” [v. 23-25, AMP]
I tend to think in terms that devotion is the visible expression of our love. Besides, if we don’t express this, how will we or the object of our affection ever know… as well as a witness to others? Devotion is strong, is constant, grows and is so much more than we tend to realize. But I also will contend that it needs expression. So… who, what are you devoted to? More importantly… do you and the who/what know?
