Devoted to Know Him
The motto of every Christian, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be "Devoted for Life." — Adoniram Judson
As a young man, film director Robert Flaherty spent many months in the far north looking for iron, ore, and cod. He found none, but he did shoot 70,000 feet of film in his travels. Someone encouraged him to edit the film and make a documentary, which Flaherty spent weeks doing. But just as he finished, a match dropped among the celluloid, consuming the entire film and burning Flaherty badly. His response to the disaster was a determination to return to the far north and make a film of Eskimo life “that people will never forget.” He did just that, and the result was the classic 1922 documentary, Nanook of the North.
What caused Flaherty to keep going despite the tragedy in his life? He was devoted to producing a film about the Eskimos. If someone such as Flaherty could be so devoted to something which helped him overcome loss and extreme pain, why can’t we as Christians be so devoted to God who helps us overcome the pains of life?
We saw yesterday that in order to know God more we must be determined to seek Him each day. Not only should we be determined, but we also should be devoted to Him. No matter how much determination you have, if you are not devoting time to spend with Christ, you cannot know Him more.
Jeremiah 29:13 says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” God says, “Come to Me. Seek after Me. I promise that if you are devoted to Me and seek Me with all your heart, I will reveal Myself to you.”
God wants your whole heart. Sometimes Christians can be guilty of seeking God while seeking other things. Have you ever sat down to spend time with God but found yourself thinking of other things? Rather than being distracted by the things of this world, focus your whole heart on knowing God more.
Devotion has been defined as “ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle.” Devotion is giving of yourself to someone or something else. It is neglecting the desires of your own heart to seek after God’s heart.
Are you devoted to knowing God more? God promises that as we give Him our whole heart, He will reveal Himself to us. Set aside time to be with God today. Even if you have to give up a hobby or an activity, knowing God is worth more than any other earthly pursuit.
Source: Daily in the Word, August 27, 2008