I had a free moment today so I wanted to make sure I got in two virtues for the week. To me there is never a coincidence so it was not surprising when I looked up the next two in line and found ‘determination’ and ‘devotion’. The go very well with my week. 😉
Determination – (a public virtue – in relationship to others)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7-8
Do you desire a deeper relationship with God? Go after it! Give yourself to the search, heart and mind and soul; keep on asking, seeking, knocking. God will open the door. Whatever our God-given goals, our dreams, our desires – they will remain in accessible to us until we determine that we will not give them up without a fight. This is the kind of determination that makes the effort worthwhile even if we don’t win the prize. The door opens to the determined heart.
This week proved to be one of the toughest in the battle I’ve been going through but I was determined to stay in the fight. Thankfully, during Mass on Sunday I was inspired to begin writing in my journal on a daily basis in the mornings the way I used to years ago. Somewhere along the way I gave up journaling in the morning as my ‘quiet’ time with God and used my journal for the times I was in adoration once a week. I never gave up my time with God, instead I focused on the bible study or the devotional. However, in Mass Sunday I recognized how much of this relationship I was missing. When I journal to God it’s as if I am literally giving Him every thought in my mind and handing it over for Him to carry. What a release! I came home that Sunday evening and rearranged my schedule for the whole week blocking out 30 minutes every morning before I was to begin the day so that I could pour my heart out to God.
This week as I struggled and fought the daily attacks I sat down one day and nearly gave up. I plopped down on the chair and said out loud, “God, I don’t know if I can keep doing this. It is so frustrating! If this is what YOU want of me then help me fight back.” Almost instantly I had a desire to make a few phone calls that resulted in a battle field response and an answer to prayer. Yesterday as I journaled to God I asked for a black and white answer on one of the issues and today He gave it to me and I’m elated! I’m closer to being able to share this issue and hopefully share it in a positive light. Because it is very clear to me God is wanting this to happen. 😉 He is determined which makes me determined.
Devotion – (a private virtue – one in relationship with God)
“O God, you are my God – earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you…for your love is better than life; my lips offer you worship.” Psalm 63:1-4
True devotion to God isn’t some special grace given to saints and prophets. It is adoration, pure and simple. Adoration beyond ritual, beyond discipline, beyond schedules and timetables and appointments with God. Devotion to the Lord is your soul reaching out and finding God’s heart reaching back.
It is in moments like this week that I visualize God’s devotion to me. I imagine Him reaching beyond the etherel walls of eternal life, reaching for me and wrapping me tightly in His embrace. He is my father, my God, covering me with love, peace and security.
If you find it hard to come to a place of receiving His devotion or even finding it within you to feel a devotion or attachment to Him that goes beyond your ‘religious recommendations and duties’ then I suggest two things: 1) meditate on the following verse
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” Jeremiah 1:5
As you meditate on that verse think about the fact that He formed YOU specifically and he DEDICATED you and has APPOINTED you to a purpose. YOU ….meditate on how much He loves YOU.
2) Seek Him. Be devoted to seeking Him. Pray daily, “Lord I seek your face, let me know you.”
He will not disappoint. 🙂
Blessings
Shannon