Devotion

Recently during one of those evening dates with one of the ladies I really admire, this topic came up. And I could not tire listening to the well of wisdom from her. She has played a critical role in my Christian standing. She would chasten me where I needed it, call me very early in the morning just to tell me to pray, drag me to forums where she is going to minister and be all over my life. Looking back I really appreciate it because now I proudly stand because she made my life was part of her mission. Now to the topic, it is all about Devotion.

Devotions cannot be the only step taken to establish intimacy. They cannot be the only source of growth, and are not an instant path to closeness with God. There is a lot more that goes into a relationship with Him than reading your Bible and praying. Christianity cannot be reduced to a routine. It is so much more. It must be more.

That being said, devotions do serve a purpose.

My years of quiet mornings with God have been the substance of my walk with Him.

When I rededicated my life to Jesus 5 years ago, I had to learn how to be a Christian all over again. Everyone kept talking about reading the Bible and praying, and I decided I should do those things every day. So I did, and have done so for years. I believe my intimacy with the Lord has stemmed from all of those mornings and evenings that I invested into my relationship with Him.

    In the beginning I did it because I was told to.

    There have been seasons in which I did it because it was what I should do.

    Now I do it because it is what I want to do.

It really is not about fulfilling an expectation; it should stem from a heart desiring to see God.

He is found by those who seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13). It really is that simple.

Having a quiet time is not the only way to intimacy, but it is an integral step in the right direction.

I remember being so frustrated as I expressed to the Lord that I had been seeking Him and doing everything I knew to do in order to be closer to Him. I felt like He was not keeping His end of the bargain. I was in a dry season. I could not hear Him speak, and I could not feel His presence no matter how hard I listened, or how thoroughly I sought Him. I questioned the point of all the effort I put into my relationship with Him if He was not going to reciprocate. In spite of my discouragement I kept seeking Him, believing that in time, I would be met by Him.

Years later, I feel as though I am bearing the fruit of my efforts. All those hours spent with Him over the years have contributed to the intimacy I now share with Him. All of those minutes spent reading the Bible have implanted the Truth of His Word in my heart so that Verses randomly come to mind when I advise my friends, or when I am praying. All of those times I poured my heart out to Him showed me what His heart is like. There were times I did not want to do devotions. There were seasons in which I did not want to put out the effort because I was quite sure it would be wasted. Sometimes I did it out of obligation because I knew it was the right thing to do, even if I did not want to do it. My point is this: my efforts were not in vain. I know Him deeply and intimately because I have spent a lot of time with Him. We have had five years of morning tea dates, and they never get old.

Nothing has been wasted. His Word will not return to Him void; it accomplishes what He desires it to.

    “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
 It will not return to Me empty,
 Without accomplishing what I desire,
 And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11

Every moment spent with Him has been saturated in anointing and blessing, regardless of whether or not I see it.