Devotional Time

One of the mainstays in the spiritual life of most believers is what has come to be known as a devotional time.  It can be a very simple moment, or one that is filled with personally embraced rituals.  Some devotional moments are just that--moments, while others can fill long periods of time.  One of the things common to the discipline of devotions is a devotional book which is usually a book with a spiritual writing for each day of the year.  Some of us are constantly changing from one book to another and others will end up using the same one for a life time.     

I must confess to belonging to the life time user group.  Since college I have always had a copy of "My Utmost for His Highest"  by Oswald Chambers in the place where I settled for daily devotional time.  Interestingly enough, the devotional book was not written by Oswald Chambers, but was compiled by his wife after his death.  She was skilled in shorthand and would write notes from his talks to different groups and from those notes she created this writing which has enriched the Kingdom for over a hundred years.  I am grateful this devotional book has been in my life now for over 50 years.     

This is not to say that my experience would be best for everyone.  Our Creator God has made us each different and as He moves us from conception to the Home He has prepared for us in eternity, He brings different resources, people, and influences into our life in a way that enables His plan for us to go forward through our life.  While it seems to me that a good devotional guide is a plus for us as we walk the road of faith, it is not necessary.  Some walk only with the Word and find that it is more than enough.  The One who made us knows us and if given permission will lead us in a way that speaks both to our needs and to the personality He has given us.  A devotional time shaped by the Spirit is far better than one shaped by the suggestions of another pilgrim on the road.