Devoted

I admire devotion. While working to finish seminary the over the past couple of years I started going to the YMCA at 4:45 AM so that I had time to study before work. I met a group of guys that were devoted to working our. We all know devoted sports fans (like the NASCAR fan pictured above). Even if we don't share their devotion, there is something admirable about it.

When we hear the word devoted, we usually think of something good, a devoted mother. What comes to your mind? You might think of a mother who is willing to sacrifice for her children, who puts the needs of the children and her family ahead of her own needs. Someone who knows how to endure. Someone who knows how in love to do practical things that help her family. Or perhaps a devoted father and who not only is reliable and tries to provide for his family, but also someone who is willing to take a day off a little early to try to make it to a soccer game or to see a ballet recital. Devotion is not limited to sports and family. If I am sick and need a doctor, I want a devoted doctor, particularly if it is surgery, I want it to be a devoted doctor, not somebody devoted to their boat or their investments, but someone who is devoted to their calling, someone who tries to keep up with the latest developments, who really wants to do the best possible for their patients. Devotion is a good thing.

On display in Acts 2:42-47 are the things to which the early church was devoted. What would our church and families look like if more of us were devoted to the Word, fellowship, prayer, generosity and outreach?