Devotion
by Jilly Lyon-Taylor
We might think of the word ‘devoted’ in relation to a couple being devoted to one another, parents being devoted to their children, or someone devoted to a sport, hobby or career. Where does our devotion lie?
Today’s verse shows that God’s priority for us is that we might devote ourselves to being close to Him. Our closeness to Him, just being in His presence, is more important than anything we might do for Him. Our Heavenly Father desires fellowship with His children.
When Jesus was appointing His first twelve disciples, He went up on a mountainside and called them to Him, ‘that they might be with Him’ (Mark 3:13-14). The call to be with Him came first, before the call to preach, to heal and to cast out demons. It is the same for us – our service for Him should come out of our relationship with Him. If we are living our lives in close fellowship with Him, everything else will follow from that.
Devotion is an attitude of the heart, but it also implies a pledge or commitment. Marriage is a good example of this. When couples fall in love the heart plays a big part in their relationship. However, a strong marriage is not reliant solely on the feelings that people have for one another, as these are not always constant; it is also about the loving commitment and pledge that they have made to one another. Our devotion to the Lord is the same. It should not be reliant on how we are feeling from one day to the next, but on the pledge that we have made in our hearts to Him.
Will we devote ourselves to Him, making it a priority to draw near to Him? James 4:8 promises us that, if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. It is dependent on us, not on Him! Let’s resolve to put aside the distractions that so easily creep in (mobile phones, emails, our selfish desires for comfort), and devote ourselves to being close to Him.
Prayer: Lord, I am sorry for allowing distractions to get in the way of my relationship with You. I want to devote myself in the future to drawing near to You and remaining close to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Jilly Lyon-Taylor is part of the Leadership Team at Ellel Pierrepont. She worked in publishing and then with children in Hong Kong before concentrating on being a full-time mother and serving in the local church. Her desire to see people healed led her to the Luke Nine Eleven Training Scheme(NETS) at Pierrepont, and now she teaches and ministers there.
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