Devoting Ourselves in Love to God

Devotion is an interesting word used to describe the Christian life.  In many ways it is the perfect term because it speaks of true love and fervent desire for the Lord.  Strangely enough, though, it has taken on a different connotations, more akin to arduous study and obligated discipline than to the devotion in love.  While these aspects are important components of the Christian life, they are supported by devotion, that is to say, all of the Christian lifestyle begins with overwhelming, breathtaking, gut-wrenching, and all-encompassing love for God.

Love is the starting point of devotion, the launching pad for all spiritual discipline, the very propellant of our pursuit of God must be love.  In this, then, it must be asserted unequivocally that devotion is not obligatory.  We are not obligated to devotion.  Devotion is based on love, which must arise out of our sincere desire and love for God.

Perhaps a more appropriate way to speak of the Christian life is in terms of a love relationship.  When one is in love, they will go out of their way to exorbitant measure for the sole purpose of loving another.  Think of the long-distance couple that might splurge thousands on travel expenses just to spend any amount of time together.  This is what devotion is all about.  If this type of reckless love would characterize our devotion for God, everything else would fall into place and perspective.

Devotion should never feel like a chore.  It should be a natural extension of the deepest love and affection for the Almighty.  Devotion arises out of a sincere love of God.  The important thing is whether we truly love God or not.  In the case of the latter, not loving God, it boils down to two possibilities, either we haven't met God or we have chosen the world's riches instead of Him.

Consider two parables, the parable of the treasure hidden in the field and the parable of the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:44-46).  The point in both of these parables is the immense value of discovering the Kingdom of God and that anything compared to it is as good as worthless. Also, the joy of finding the God cannot be overstated.  In truth, if God is worth more than anything and finding Him brings overwhelming joy, why wouldn't we love Him?  Let us then come face to face with the Holy Lord Almighty so as to love Him more with the highest devotion!