“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?†They said to Him, “The first.â€Matthew 21:28-31, NKJV.
There is a sharp difference between devotion and commitment. To commit means to pledge and thereby binding oneself to a word. To devote means the love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause; to freely give of one’s time to a specific cause. Devotion is about doing.
In the parable, the first son showed more devotion to His father than His brother. Even though he disrespected his father in his speech, he still honored him by going to the vineyard afterward. He still gave himself to His father’s cause. Life can get complicated, we can get busy, and then we realize our passion isn’t burning like it used to, or we grow weary. Yet, still, God is good and reminds us each new day is a day we can devote ourselves anew to Father’s cause.
Move from a commitment to a devotion. Let nothing keep you from your relationship with the Father and the cause of the Gospel. Regardless, be devoted to your wife, family, friends, work, and calling. Know the Father is completely devoted to you and always for you.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for your great devotion to me. Please forgive me if I haven’t been devoted to you. Help me when I grow weary, and remind me that the reward in you is greater than any Earthly joy. I will devote myself to You anew. Holy Spirit, move within me and cause me to be about the Father’s cause in and through my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study: Genesis 15:1, Matthew 6:21, 21:31, James 1:22-27, Acts 20:35
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