Wholehearted Devotion

"Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." Isaiah 38:3

I've been thinking a lot lately about the word "devotion". After all, that is what you are reading today, a "devotional". Some devotionals are filled with great Spiritual insight, others may cut straight to the heart, while many can bring tears of joy and much needed refreshment to our souls.

Have you ever truly thought about what this word stands for? At one time or another, some of us may have been devoted to a favorite sports team. How about being devoted on the job or to your spouse? Consider the faithful dog who is completely devoted to his master. The word has been used so much that the blessed intention it was designed for gets lost in translation.

Did you know that, in Merriam-Webster's dictionary, the word "devotion" is considered a noun, not a verb? Here are some of the definitions they list:
Religious fervor:
- An act of prayer or private worship
- A religious exercise or practice other than the regular corporate worship of a congregation

So then, what do you do when you see a morning, afternoon or evening devotion pop onto your computer screen? As you open your favorite daily devotional and read what it says for today, are you truly offering yourself to wholehearted devotion as you glean from the words written? Do you allow God to truly enter and become one with the words you are reading, experiencing and applying to your life? Or are there distractions, interruptions, mindless thoughts, or even the obvious rush just to get finished so you can say that you "read" your devotion today?

Throughout scriptures in the Bible, (NIV) I found many strong and powerful adjectives linked to the word "devotion"; words such as "undivided", "wholehearted", "pure" and "sincere". Not only is there a true reverence to devotion, but it is coupled with these beautiful pictures of time set aside for a single and designated purpose: to worship God.

Why not make it your goal to receive that special word, thought or life-changing scripture from Him in the devotional you read today? Choose not to be interrupted or allow anything to come between God and you, as you open your mind and heart to Him. I promise that He will always meet with YOU wholeheartedly.

If you're interested, there is more information about:
The most important event of all time and
The most important Book of all time.

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Contributed by Diane Check: calvarycheck@comcast.net Diane has enjoyed writing short morning "thoughts for the day" for associates at her insurance company for the past few years. She lives in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, with her husband and son. She is currently working on her first prayer devotional.