Building Better Devotionsনমুনা

Burning Hearts

I’ll never forget hearing the good news.

I’m a borderline introvert. From a young age, I ask deep questions and mull over things of ultimate value.

(I was boring company for many of my childhood peers.)

In my first year of Bible College, a professor taught us that Christians throughout history had “retreated.” Following Jesus’ example (Luke 5:16), disciples had fled everyday life for temporary or permanent residence in the wilderness or desert.

This was good news to my introverted soul! Sometimes, you have to get away from the people made in God’s image to better know God and live more like Him (Colossians 3:10).

I soon booked a room at a local Franciscan retreat center. My parents dropped me off for my first retreat. I read the Bible, prayed, sang, was still, got bored, slept, distracted myself, and walked.

It was utterly ordinary and completely transformative. My heart burned within me. I encountered God in a new way.

I’ve never stopped “retreating” since.

On the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), two people walk along with Jesus without knowing it. Jesus was eventually revealed to them while celebrating communion, and they recalled how their hearts had “burned within them” as they walked with Him and heard Him explain Scripture.

For the next three days, we’ll examine specific ways for men to build a devotional life that will lead to a devoted life.

My first suggestion is that you pay attention to the places your heart burns.

Which practices, places, and people catalyze deeper faith and holiness for you? When have you experienced God in ways that left your inner world a holy blaze?

For me, retreating, spiritual friendships, reading biographies, and humble obedience are a few devotional habits that often leave my heart burning. I had to learn that regularly booking a walk with a spiritual friend or mentor is a devotional habit. Biographies of devoted (and human) followers often set me aflame. Promptly obeying when God leads has led me to several divine encounters.

What about you? What places, people, and practices have left your heart burning for the King and Kingdom?

I suggest that men make a habit of building some of those things into our devotional practices so that we are men who live more devoted lives.

Prayer: Lord, remind me of the times I experienced Your presence most profoundly. I don’t want to chase spiritual highs; I want a life set afire by Your Spirit and Gospel. Show me the next steps. Lead me to the things which will set me ablaze. Amen.

Reflection: List the people, practices, and places that have set your heart burning in the past few years. Which conversations left you more in love with God and motivated to follow? Which places have you encountered God most consistently? Which habits light a Kingdom fire in your gut?