Deliberate Devotion

We often don’t realize just how much grace God is giving us.

Last semester, the blog posts practically wrote themselves. Every theology class something would capture my heart and fill me with delight or wonder, which would overflow onto a digital page. This semester has started differently; while I love my current theology class, there is nothing in it that has sparked the same sense of wonder or awe – which I’m rather disappointed about, since we've spent so much time talking about Heaven.

The fact of the matter is I’m not in the same season I was in. God gave me so much grace to keep growing in Him even as depression sucked my energy and made me dread each day. This semester, however, I am free from depression, and God expects me to live like I am.

There is a balance between what God does for us and what He expects us to do.

In my recent post, “You StoopDown to Make Me Great,” I referenced that God gives us strength to do what we need to do. Last semester, I did not have the strength to seek after Him. This semester, He has given me strength, and He expects me to use it.

I have to go to His Word, humble and expecting encounter.

I have to search for truth about Who He is and marvel at His beauty.

I have to put effort into the relationship.

A man who knows his stay-at-home wife is in bed with the flu doesn't come home expecting a spotless house and a four-course meal; instead, he serves her and helps out where he can. But if she is perfectly well yet stays in bed all day, he will start to wonder what is going on.

The analogy isn't perfect because a husband can’t make his wife well, but even our very breath comes from God. The basic principle, however, is the same: He expects us to put effort into the relationship.

It will all be worth it in the end.

“…I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me

heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

-Philippians 3:12-14

The apostle Paul understood that this was a right response to the love of Christ. Several times in scripture the apostles called this life of devotion a joy. Somewhere in the course of history, we have lost that. Wholehearted devotion to and pursuit of God’s glory and His heart is not only worthwhile; it’s actually enjoyable.

I’m going for it.

Will you join me?