Building Better Devotionsනියැදිය

You’ve Got Options

Most Christians throughout history never read the Bible.

Before you stone me, remember that most Christians were illiterate, and Bibles were rare.

Most Christians never had a “quiet time,” as we might think of it today, but they did know a thing or two about devotional habits.

Many early Christians cultivated devoted lives by praying several times daily, giving to the poor, worshipping together, sharing the Gospel, and caring for widows and orphans.

The Lord’s Prayer was impressed upon their lips and their lives. [1]

As we think about building better devotional habits, I want you to know you have options.

A quick survey of Church history will show you that Christians have prayed, worshipped, and lived in ways consistent with Christ and yet somewhat different from each other. We’re called to unity, not uniformity (1 Corinthians 15).

Back to the Bible.

The question isn’t whether men read the Bible daily (a good idea) but whether the Word dwells in us richly (Colossians 3:16).

The question isn’t whether men memorize the text (a good idea) but whether we’ve put it into practice (Matthew 7:24-27).

The goal of devotions is to help us live a life devoted to Christ.

Which ways of taking in, reflecting on, studying, and obeying Scripture are most effective for you in this season? Which lead you beyond mere knowledge of God to real relationship with God? What about with prayer?

I fear the news of devotional options will cause some men to chase a spiritual high while shopping through a proverbial aisle of devotional options. While that danger exists, so do genuine options in devotional practice.

Do you know that packing lunches for kids who need them can be a devotional practice? So can a long walk in the woods, a regular breakfast with spiritual friends, a podcast, and singing your favorite worship songs on the way to work.

“Prayer alarms” are among the most transformative practices in my life. My wrist starts buzzing at 9 a.m. and continues every two hours until 9 p.m. Amidst meetings, chores, arguments with my family, moments of great joy, and a lot of mundane living, my wrist buzzes, and I’m called back to prayer and the reality of God’s presence with me.

It’s changed me.

I pray you find and embrace the freedom to seek a deeper walk with Christ using various mediums on the journey to becoming mature in Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help me know my freedom. I want to know You and follow You. Show me what will help—lead me to the right teachers and books. Show me which parts of Jesus’ life I should focus on imitating most in this season. I trust You to guide me, and I’m waiting for Your leading. Amen.

Reflection: Colossians 3:1-17 paints a picture of a devoted life. Consider what steps you might take (whether they fit your understanding of a “quiet time” or not) to follow Jesus into that kind of life. Listen for the guidance of His Spirit and be practical!

[1] A great book on the early church is called Resilient Faith by Gerald Sittser