Devotion

The time we spend with God in prayer, in His Word
is considered as the time of devotion in religious term
But, in true sense, devotion means deep affection, dedication,
religious piety and so forth.

We need to ask ourselves  whether our time of devotion
truly reflects what it means,
Or it's simply a ritual, a habitual act
to satisfy our obligation to God.

If that's so, then the time I spend in such act
loses its flavor and worthiness
as a brewing stew its aroma and nutrition value
Although, the routine  habit serves in a way
to bring some discipline  to our prayer life in days of spiritual drought
if it's left likewise for long
the spirit within us become dull, lethargic and lifeless.

If our devotion takes the pattern of David, the psalmist
who enthralled in God's love and majesty
and yearned after God like a deer panting after water
we too would be entitled as man or woman after God's own heart
the greatest title worthy to be bestowed by God alone.

David didn't set the alarm to wake him up to have his devotion
Nor he needed a comfy chair and hot cup of coffee to stimulate his nerves
He had no fixed hour to worship his Lord
Every waking hour, whether he was still in his bed
Out in the field watching his sheep or hiding from enemies in the darkest cave
David, always found time to talk to God
and be entranced by the amazing grace and glory of his God.

David wasn't perfect in his life
But he is a perfect example for  devotion.
I pray that we too would yearn for God as he did
and come to value the blessings of true devotion.

(June 14, 2005)