"The word devotion, which is derived from the Latin, answers to that of devotedness -- a vowing of ourselves, a consecration of ourselves. A devout person is, then, a person devoted to God, consecrated to God. There is no stronger expression than that of devotion to mark that disposition of the soul of a person who is ready to do everything and to suffer everything for Him to whom he is devoted." (quoted from The Spiritual Life, by Fr. Jean Nicolas Grou
This quote says a lot about what living devout is all about. It is about giving ourselves up completely to God, without the littlest reservation, and being willing to do and suffer all for the love of Him alone. As we seek to live this devotion out we can run into many challenges and troubles. The point is, we have been given over to Him and should continue to live out this consecration through our challenges and struggles. After all, what kind of devotion would it be if we fled at the least struggle?
So, as devotees of Jesus Christ we must resign, no, we must commit ourselves to a way of life that at every moment seeks to grow this devotion. Our daily choices will reflect our devotion. Do we choose to pray rather than watch TV or a movie? Do we choose to dress in a certain fashion that reflect our devotedness to Christ? Do we allow ourselves idle talk or gossip? To we get angry when things don't go "our" way? Do we seek pleasure for themselves? Do we choose our own way, or are we willing to do it God's way (possibly known through our spiritual director)? Are we accepting of our roles and duties in life, or do we gripe about them?
Obviously, the above litany could go on and on, but in the end, these questions and subsequent decisions are made in our heart and will. For it is there that we either accept our calling from God or reject it. It is then with our will that we ultimately choose to live devout!
This quote says a lot about what living devout is all about. It is about giving ourselves up completely to God, without the littlest reservation, and being willing to do and suffer all for the love of Him alone. As we seek to live this devotion out we can run into many challenges and troubles. The point is, we have been given over to Him and should continue to live out this consecration through our challenges and struggles. After all, what kind of devotion would it be if we fled at the least struggle?
So, as devotees of Jesus Christ we must resign, no, we must commit ourselves to a way of life that at every moment seeks to grow this devotion. Our daily choices will reflect our devotion. Do we choose to pray rather than watch TV or a movie? Do we choose to dress in a certain fashion that reflect our devotedness to Christ? Do we allow ourselves idle talk or gossip? To we get angry when things don't go "our" way? Do we seek pleasure for themselves? Do we choose our own way, or are we willing to do it God's way (possibly known through our spiritual director)? Are we accepting of our roles and duties in life, or do we gripe about them?
Obviously, the above litany could go on and on, but in the end, these questions and subsequent decisions are made in our heart and will. For it is there that we either accept our calling from God or reject it. It is then with our will that we ultimately choose to live devout!
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