Editorial February 13, 1989 Issue

Single-hearted devotion

Michael D. Rissler

Christ Jesus often drew powerful spiritual lessons from the most ordinary events of people's everyday lives. A shepherd's faithful care of his flock, a woman's search for a lost coin, the innocence and receptivity of a child—all of these came to represent waymarks of transcendent, godly experience.

For us, the same thing can happen. Ordinary events can become crucial during spiritual discovery. Consider, for example, how certain activities approximate a single-hearted devotion that hints at our nature to be faithful to one good God. Devoting our lives to the welfare of our family; strong, abiding allegiance to another person in marriage; being ready at a moment's notice to drop everything and to come to the aid of a friend in need; even being loyal to an employer and dedicating one's energies to benefiting an enterprise. These hint at our capacity for loyalty, sustained giving, and sacrifice.

We may not have realized that when we do these things we're part of something that borders on the sacred. Yet the very action of having single-hearted fidelity draws us into a deeper experience that can touch upon the actual reality of God. Our action is akin to the spirit that underlies the First Commandment. And yet if this devotion doesn't eventually link one's hope to something spiritual, it misses its mark. In fact our best intentions can be used and misused unless they're directed by God.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
The Christ appears
February 13, 1989
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit