The Liveliest Livable Life
Devotion: A firm and dependable foundation of devoted care.
Romans 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (NIV)
Recently in a very important relationship, I was not getting my way. I became sullen and moody. My energy level dropped as did my interest in usually fun activities. Suddenly it hit me, my not getting my way was controlling my life. I had yielded to my selfishness. Well, I know enough scripture and have failed at this test enough times that I finally recognized what I needed to do.
I asked my Father to forgive me for my being devoted to the things I wanted, exactly when I wanted them, and precisely how I wanted them. (I John 1:9) I asked for Holy Spirit to take charge (John 16:13), and He give me awareness of God’s truth. Then I submitted to the mind of Christ. We, as Christ-followers, have “the mind of Christ”, you know. (I Corinthians 2:16;)
Without any change in the circumstances, I changed or, rather, God changed me. My priorities shifted from being devoted to me to being devoted to Jesus and submitting to His will over my own feelings. Consequently, I became devoted to the person with whom I had the conflict. Oh, he/she didn’t know I had the conflict because at that time we’d not spoken about it. Remember? I had become sullen and moody. I found out later that my shift in mood was noticed and had already confused the other person. Why I would ever respond this way, I will never understand. It never does any good. It prolongs the healing process, and it hurts others.
As the breach was healed, forgiveness asked of and granted by the “important” person, we took another step forward toward consistent devotion to one another. We understood that our devotion to Christ and therefore to each other was not without challenges, but Jesus doesn’t quit on us. Because He is fully, perfectly devoted to us, as His followers, we have access to His power, grace, and love any time – all the time.
To live the liveliest livable, lovable life possible we must know how loved we are by our wonderful heavenly Father, accept His love and forgiveness, then live under the complete control of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us – a gift and down-payment of the new life we have in Christ. Did you notice in the account above, I didn’t change me – God did? He convicted me of my sin; He reminded me of His truth; He revealed the solution; and He took over control when I let go of the wheel.
My firm, dependable foundation of devoted care for others is the firm, dependable foundation of God’s care for me. As long as I remember and live on that foundation, I can offer dependable, self-less care for other people – each of whom is an important person to God – and, therefore, to me
1. Who in your life needs to know that your devotion to God means that you see them as a high priority? Do they know you are devoted to them, of you highly regarding them?
2. Who during your growing up years was devoted to you and was a source of firm, dependable care in your life?
3. Would you speak with a family member/friend about your and their sources of devoted care (or lack of them) during your earlier years? What impact has devotion or lack of it had on your key relationships?
4. How much has your relationship with God through Jesus Christ brought healing and progress into your current relationships?