Merriam-Webster defines devotion as having love or loyalty for something or someone.
Sports stars, movie stars, musicians and politicians have “devoted” fans and followers. A following of like-minded people. Christians are followers of Jesus. He is the One we are devoted to.
Devotion can wane. Sports stars stop grabbing our attention with their performance. Movie stars fade into the sunset. Our taste in music changes. Politicians…Well, we know what often happens there. We were once totally devoted and then we are not. Fickle devotion.
Paul was sitting in prison when he wrote our scripture for today. One might ask how he could be devoted to a God and Lord Jesus Christ who would allow one so “devoted” to be sitting in prison. Yet Paul remained devoted to the end. He was writing letters and sending them out encouraging other “devotees” of Christ to remain faithful in prayer.
Prayer is our conversation with the God who could scatter creation to the four winds with a mere whisper of His breath. Like a dandelion who has lost its yellow flower. A breath scatters the shell of the flower in every direction. Speaking with Him daily, requests that power to enter our life. Change our situation. When we talk with Him daily about the concerns of our life, we are inviting Him in. Allowing Him to work a miracle in the mess of our lives. We release our concerns to the One who can make the wrongs right, turn defeat to victory, ease the pain of grief, walk with us through the trials of life. The One who sings over us on the good days and the difficult days of our lives. The breath of the Creator. That is power that can make a difference in the life of one who turns their devotion to Christ.
As in Paul’s situation, the answers may come slowly or they may not come at all. Good soldiers of Christ are to keep alert, always with an attitude of thanksgiving, praying for all people…Believers and non-believers alike. Why? So that the mystery of Christ may find new “devoted” believers who will become new soldiers of prayer, who can change their world through petitions of faith, who will then pass their experience on to a new soul. Census takers for the place called Heaven, where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and stands to receive each new arrival.
~Scripture For Today~
Colossians 4:2-4
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! Oh the power of prayer! We get so caught up in the things of life and the chaos that oftentimes is our life, that we forget the treasure that Christ has assured for us. We can talk to You as often as we breathe. You never tire of hearing our voice. You never grow impatient with our petitions. You answer us in expected ways and many times very unexpected ways. Thank You for Your love for us. We pray that our devotion grows with every conversation we have with You. You and only You are the source of victory in our lives and the lives of those we pray for. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.