Let’s talk about your devotions

The word Christian and the word devotions often go together. Right? Maybe… mostly… it should. Maybe you don’t personally use the word devotions but I’m sure you know what it means. If you take the time to talk to any Christian about their how their walk with God is going I’m pretty sure there’s a high possibility that the topic of devotions is going to come up. Whether it’s how much time they have been spending or how much time they should be spending or how much time they are not spending. But where did this come from anyway? how did this concept become such a common understanding among Christians or church attendees in the first place? And do we really know what devotions is?

Okay so in general terms we know devotion means to be loyal, or committed or true to someone or something. So a person can be devoted to a loved one, a career or an idea. In terms of origin the word itself comes from the word “to vow” and gives a sense of pledging allegiance. So in that sense is devotions putting your hand over your heart and saying “I pledge allegiance to the lamb, with all I my strength, with all I am”? Probably not. If you ask any Christian what devotions is, they would tell you spending time with God, or the time I put aside for God alone. So in terms of actions, the verb “devote” means to give a large portion or all of one’s time or resources to a person, or activity. So in the context of this, understanding the meaning of the word and the actions the word describes, I think we can fairly say that “devotions” should be an attitude of loyalty or commitment to God displaying itself in quality time spent and sufficient space given. Sounds a little clearer than “spending time with God” right?

You see, I believe that the word devotions has been thrown around so much in Christian circles that the true meaning of it sometimes gets lost. People feel like as a Christian this is something that they are obligated to do. But the thing about Christianity is that its not a faith of doing, its a faith of being. Being transformed, being renewed, being restored, being light, being God’s hands and feet, being merciful…. I mean we have all the Be..attitudes… if you’re still doubtful. Really it’s about a heart condition. The most stirring explanation I’ve heard on devotions is a random message I heard by Matthew Stevenson III, he said that devotions isn’t something you do, its a place you go.

Expanding on this idea, I would say that if we just look at “devotions” as something we do, we will continue to be dissatisfied with the “time” we spend with God. If we think it’s just about getting up and going through a routine: reading your bible, or a devotional and praying for a few minutes, then it’s easy to become monotonous and we will always feel like “i need to spend more time in devotions”. What about if we think about it like, I need to expand the space in my heart for Jesus; and when I say heart, I mean our mind, emotions and will. Devotions is a place you go where your mind is focused on God. Where your emotions or affections, as Johnathan Edwards would say, it is on God, where you are emotionally connected to the words you are reading or reflecting on and where your will is submitted. In this sense you are willingly choosing to go to this place both physically and spiritually where God can be your focus and not your clock or a quote and picture worthy of those #morningdevotions #spendingtimewithGod tags.

Isn’t there a specific time of day we should put aside for devotions? Well I’m glad you asked. I would say, not necessarily but ideally morning is best. We tend to lean towards morning for devotions because 1. It communicates devotion in attitude when we give God our first, 2. It tends to set the tone for our day, 3. It’s the way it’s presented in the Bible, by practice and encouragement. We see it demonstrated by key figures in the Bible including Jesus. See some quotes below if you’re interested.

Jesus

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. (Mark 1:35)

Job

When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. (Job 1:5)

Hannah

Then they arose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. (1 Samuel 1:19)

Jacob

So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top. (Gen 28:18)

King Hezekiah

Then King Hezekiah arose early and assembled the princes of the city and went up to the house of the Lord. (2 Chronicles 29:20)

Moses

Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. Then he arose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. (Ex 24:4)

David

Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. (Ps 57:8)

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Ps 63:1)

Here’s a further explanation of what I mean. If you’re devoted to a healthier lifestyle then exercising isn’t going to be something you just do. You will have a visoin for youself, you will be motivated and you will have a sense of what the outcome you want and it’s all of these factors together which will help you push through even when circumstances are not ideal for it. If there is a heart, mind, wil connection twoards that place that we go to be with God, then we’re not going to let that assignment that due intrude, or that thing to be done or that person to intrude. I’m not saying to ignore all other responsibilities in life, like starve your children, get to work or school late or neglect whatever else you need to do. The thing is that once this place is properly set up and set apart, I believe that you can carry it with you everywhere, then it’ll be like a room in your heart that you can revisit during the day as you sit at your desk or look at your reflection in the bathroom mirror or wash your hands for 20 seconds. All of those moments you can use to return to that place in your heart where God’s word resides and allow it to be like a refreshing spring throughout your day. Whenever I think about devotions I hear Jeremy Camp’s passoinate baritone ringing in my head, “in the morning when I rise, give me Jesus”, this song really captures for me, the tone and attitude that I desire for the place I go to be with God (I’ll put the link below so you can have a listen).

Conclusively, my point in all this is, and I’m speaking to myself too, don’t be dissatisfied so much with the amoung of time you spend with God, or with how different your devotions looks to someone else’s. Instead, focus on the quality of it, which is dependent on your attitude towards God and your vision for your relationship with Him.

So tips you ask?… All I can say is this: Let the Holy Spirit direct you as to any specific tool or approach you can use, or if you’re just starting the simple bible, prayer and reflection works well. Then you set the time, set the space, set the tone and dwell there.

Sources mentioned or used:

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Morning-Devotions

Dr. Matthew Stevenson. Sermon: The Unknown, Deliverance from the Deadline (Youtube)

Religious Affections by Johnathan Edwards (Book)