Devotional Life

This day is one that is not often associated with devotion.  It is one associated with horror and war, terror and fear.  After 911 happened we immediately stepped towards retribution, and invaded Afganistan.  Corrupt influences used it as an opportunity to secure the poppy fields, and this likely led to the awful situation we now face with the Fentynil crisis.  

That aside, this day can be turned for good.  We can use this as a day of repentance and devotion to direct our energies towards a life of meaning, goodness and grace.  We can use this day as a renewal of our faith that this life is not just meant for suffering and pain, but that our divine light, that extension of God's presence within us, is meant to bring all of the fruits of the spirit into the dark places of the world.

What would it be like, if we truly followed goodness in our lives?

A devotional life means I am taking time to feel the presence of God.  Practicing devotion is not just a box to check off at the end of the day, but is a personal relationship with the divine.  Devotion let's God into the equation of my life.

Take time to think of what are some devotional practices you would like to include in your life.  These can be contemplative practices, such as walking in nature in silence, meditating on a candle or flower, or experience.  Using these as ways to see a bigger picture, God's presence and plan in all aspects of one's life.  

I like to do a life review.  Many who have had near death experiencers have had the life-review and speak of how it changed their perspective on life.  Since, this is what we will be shown at the end of our time here, I like to look for where I may be falling short now, and inwardly ask God what I am meant to learn from these experiences.  A good questions to ask oneself when looking at particularly challenging experiences is, "What are you trying to show me?"  

Another practice I employ is to see the perfection in God's plan.  Driving, walking or travelling I look at the nature and things all around me and say, "that is exactly as it is meant to be".
For example, I may look at nature and say, "That _(tree, plant, flower)_is exactly where it is meant to be."  This can be done for minutes or hours.

In doing this, I begin to allow myself to stop judging and start seeing things as they are.  

Having a sense of appreciation and gratitude during these practices is important.  Our energy of worship and devotion becomes the chalace for God's wisdom to flow into us.  This is the holy grail we seek, to fill ourselves with his grace.

By increasingly living a devotional life, I allow myself to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  The next step is learn to let go and trust this spirit to guide my actions.