What Devotion Really Means (And Why We Get It Wrong)
Devotion Isn’t What You Think—And That’s the Problem
A deep longing resides within many of us, a yearning for something more than the mundane. It's a desire to be truly, vibrantly spiritually alive. To connect not just in thought or word, but physically, mentally, and spiritually, with God, who is spirit. In childhood, this longing often takes on vivid, imaginative forms. Who hasn't pictured themselves witnessing the burning bush like Moses, feeling the very presence of the divine in the flicker of those flames? Or perhaps, like Jacob, wrestling with God, grappling with questions of faith and purpose in a very tangible way. Even the whimsical conversations of Jonah with God over a wilting plant resonate – a sense of direct, personal dialogue with the Almighty.
What child, in the solitude of their own world, hasn't tested the words of Jesus, imagining commanding a mountain to cast itself into the sea? We've all heard stories, too, stories that ignite that inner yearning – the accounts of miraculous healing, the testimonies of undeniable divine intervention shared by powerful speakers, sometimes even from television evangelists.
I recall a time when I was drawn to the passionate fervor of Pentecostal preachers, their dancing steps across the stage, their voices ringing with scriptures of miracles. I vividly remember one preacher sharing an incredible account of watching a missing limb miraculously regenerate. I'm not here to judge or criticize, but that spark of desire for a tangible, close relationship with God was very much there. That desire for strong, unwavering faith, to hear His voice and feel His presence undeniably, was real. But when that connection didn't match the extraordinary stories, when my own experience felt pale in comparison, doubt crept in. I shrunk back, perhaps misinterpreting what true spiritual life meant. It seems I was not alone in these feelings, and it brings us to an important point. It turns out, maybe we've been lied to about devotion. Perhaps it's not what we've been led to believe, and that's the problem.
We’ve been lied to about devotion.
Not maliciously. Just... culturally. Quietly. In songs and sermons, Bible studies and bestsellers, we’ve swallowed a version of devotion that’s more costume than character. A projection we perform, not a fire that transforms.
Ask around, and you’ll hear all kinds of confident definitions: Devotion is praying a lot. Fasting regularly. Showing up at church every time the doors are open. Giving generously. Forgiving quickly. Checking all the spiritual boxes and doing it with enthusiasm.
We've been told stories and shown examples, but it's easy to confuse the outward appearance of devotion with its genuine, transformative reality.
You can do all of that and still not be truly devout.
