Devotedness is a much deeper and, at the same time, a much simpler thing than many suppose. Many think that if they are earnestly engaged in the Lord’s work and looking to Him for guidance and blessing, this is being devoted, but it is much more. It is having Christ Himself as the delight and resource of my heart and the bent of my mind towards Him. The highest service we can render the Lord is to serve His heart. We need to be occupied with Christ, with a view to becoming more intimately acquainted with His character, to be studying Him, that we may learn what pleases Him. Many, like Martha, are occupied for Christ; fewer, like Mary, are occupied with Him.
The constraining power of His love in us is the foundation-stone of true devotedness. At His feet is the place where the serving one returns to encamp and from whence he goes forth to serve, refreshed with Himself and the joy of His presence. The Lord’s way with His disciples gives us the pattern of devotion and service. “He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach” (Mark 3:1414And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, (Mark 3:14)). “The apostles, when they were returned, told Him all that they had done. And He took them, and went aside privately into a desert place” (Luke 9:1010And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. (Luke 9:10)).
Things New and Old, 17:309, adapted
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