Devoted to What?
· “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:42
I once saw a preacher use a jar, some big rocks, some small rocks, and sand for an illustration to reinforce the idea that we all make priorities about certain things in life. The preacher allowed the jar to represent time and the span of life each of us is given on earth. Each person has a certain time period to live their life and a restrained amount of space to insert what matters most to them. The concept of the object lesson was that whatever takes up most of our time and mental energy should comprise our greatest priorities. The “big rocks”, he said, should represent things like work, family, and most importantly, the Lord and should be the first items placed into our jar of life – signifying their priority. The smaller rocks could represent things like entertainment, hobbies, exercise, etc. The point of the illustration is that so often we are tempted to prioritize those things which we know are not of most importance and end up not having the time or emotional energy to be faithful to the bigger things (rocks) of life. If we cram too many “small rocks” into our lifespan we leave no room for what matters most – the Lord, His church, His Word, prayer, family, and so on.
What do you prioritize? What are you devoted to? If someone close to you (a family member or close friend) were asked what you value most in this life and use your energy towards, how would they answer? These questions are important and how we practically answer them sets the trajectory of our lives and also impact those around us.
Last Sunday we examined Acts 2:42-47 and saw how the early church was devoted to certain activities. As the Lord had filled the early leaders with unparalleled spiritual power and zeal, many were added to the church and the early Christian community began to thrive. It’s important to note that the church then, and now, is only as strong as the people who make it. In other words, a church will be only be as spiritually strong as the members are devoted to God and His ways for living.
The early Christians were devoted to hearing the Word of God taught, engaging in intentional community relationships, prayer, and being generous to those who had a need. These priorities should still mark the lives of Christians today and identify the difference between a devoted Christian and a half-hearted one who attempts to cram so many “little rocks” into their lifespan that they seldom have time or energy for the Lord and a community of believers.
May you as an individual, and we as a church, be a faith family that is made up of many who are fully devoted to the Lord and engaging in the community of faith that God calls us to. As we do this day by day, decision by decision, action by action – I believe we will experience the Lord’s blessings into the future as we are marked by devotion to the Lord and His glory in and through us. My heart’s desire is to personally be a devoted follower of Jesus who belongs to a church that is devoted to the ways of God as prescribed by His Word. May it be so and may it start with me!