Devotion: A Framework For Living
I spent a weekend in a no-frills cabin with a small group of women, most of whom I didn't know, at least not very well. I'm generally game for a getaway of any kind, but the personal invitation I received compelled me. I was so intrigued by the possibilities that I got lost in the preparations, and my singular focus in getting there made me forget myself, in a good way...except that I forgot to bring my bedding, which wasn't good. Thankfully I have a saint of a husband who was undaunted by the 45-minute haul up through dark, unmarked country roads; and he delivered my sheets and comforter while I was still chatting happily at the campfire. Not long after I arrived and the door closed behind me, I realized I had closed in on something extraordinary. Not just a weekend snapshot, but an invitation to some expansive way of living that I craved long after I drove home down that sunny country lane. It began with the kind of gracious hospitality that melts away pretense and intimidation. Our hostess offered gifts designed to make our time there more comfortable...fuzzy socks, coffee mugs, and soft shawls to drape easy kindness over our shoulders. Strong, beautiful women all around me offered refreshing candor, not comparison, and wise teaching mined in the fields of faith. In our bathrobes and slippers, we sat long around the table at breakfast and enjoyed homemade meals cooked with love. Time looking into eyes across tables, time in communion, took precedence over everything else. And even though we had very diverse lives, we had one common compulsion: to experience intimacy with Jesus, our shared devotion.
This may not sound like a dream weekend to you, but it offered me a sweet taste of living that was simple, pared down, energizing, fulfilling, and profoundly meaningful; and who doesn't need more of those adjectives in their life? And even now I'm asking myself what made these women so singularly attractive to me? And I think I know the answer in one neat little power-packed word: devotion. Webster's defines devotion as the act of dedicating something to a cause, enterprise, or activity; the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal. The 43 hours of living shared in that cabin were all filtered through the grid of devotion...ardent dedication to this holy environment. So, the devotion determined the activity. The devotion determined the company. The devotion determined the agenda...or pleasant lack of one.
Now I don't perpetually live in a quiet retreat cabin, and just an hour into my morning and I'm usually challenged by someone or something that brings out the less peaceful qualities of my personality. how about you? Reflecting on my weekend, I ask you and me...what are we devoted to? Sure, there are plenty of competitors for our devotion: the job, the carpet stains, the homework, the dirty dishes, the stressful bills, the weedy garden. But what of the greater devotions determined the greater living? What if our hierarchy of devotions becomes a framework for living? Imagine this wild and pure picture of a life so simple and practical, so refreshing. What we're devoted to can be a grand grid for living, and for deciding...deciding what to do with our time, and what not to do. So maybe less soccer and more Sabbath, maybe less cleaning and more conversation, maybe less worry and more worship, maybe less leading and more learning. Maybe...but that could be crazy, right? Radical even? Impractical? I don't know.
It's just that the unshakeable memory of that cabin lingers long and keeps whispering to me about benefits. Benefits are something we can all get behind. I certainly reaped the benefits of the devotion of a few great ladies that weekend...benefits like perpetual learning and discovering, enjoying great company and great food, sharing common loves, feasting on kindness and affirmation, glowing with the exciting potential to inspire and impact. Why does that kind of devotion intoxicate me? What am I devoted to? And somewhere I think I read about this before.
In the true story I'm thinking about, there was this troupe of average, imperfect people...some rich, some poor, some weary, some wounded, some careful, some content. They didn't have much in common, but they did gather together around one great interest, one compelling passion, one great devotion. They decided that they weren't interested in surface trivialities. They only wanted to be gracious and inviting, to serve up some good food and share their company. They only wanted to learn and grow together, to comfort and encourage each other. They only wanted to change the world. And they made the most of their decisions about living by considering their devotion. And there were some great results...great benefits. People were drawn to them like magnets. People were drawn to the object of their devotion. They were so much like the women in that cabin. So devoted.
Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer.
A deep sense of holey awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another's homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.
Acts 2:42-47 The Passion Translation
So I will string out all my devotions like clothes drying in the soft breeze of honesty, and consider well which ones to snatch down and toss in my basket and which ones to fold with great care, so they'll look well on me, so they'll last. Do I need to pare down, simplify my wardrobe, reduce the clutter? After all, how much do I really need for cabin living?
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