Sermon On Devotion

Jagadish “Jaggi” Vasudev, better known by the honorific title “Sadhguru,” an Indian yoga guru and proponent of spirituality once remarked: “True devotion means becoming the hand of the Divine. Whatever comes your way, you will know how to transform it into something beautiful.” James 1:22-26 reminds us: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.”

Devotion is defined as love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person or activity. It can include religious worship, faith, piety and godliness to name but a few from the list of synonymous activities related to it.

Prayer is also considered as another form of devotion to God. It is active communication that seeks help, guidance or answers to pertinent questions relating to our everyday lives or personal issues. It can relieve our inner concerns or frustrations. It is a voice in which we can express ourselves freely without restriction. Subjects or thoughts may be addressed that are considered individual and personal and intended only for the ears of God. Psalm 42:2 reminds us: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Life can be full of imperfections. Very few things can actually be considered perfect. Imperfections may often be considered in a negative form that achieves nothing but despair. People may look up to another and feel inferior as a result. However, imperfections can have usefulness in their own way. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

What is considered as flaws or weakness by one, can be considered as worth or beauty by another. Nothing, no matter how badly blemished, should be considered worthless, it can still retain value or importance to someone or something, especially God. If we strive for achievements by adhering to God’s requests, even though we may suffer from imperfections, we are actually accomplishing devotion. God often uses the weakness or imperfections of mankind for His intended purpose, as weakness guided by His powerful hand, can produce fortitude.

There is a long-standing story on the internet about a cracked pot. The author is sadly unknown, however, the story although simple is meaningful. The narration highlights the importance of 2 Corinthians 4:7 which declares: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

The story states: “An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years, this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”

The old woman smiled, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.”

In this narrative, imperfection wins the day. It provides devotion. It achieves far more than the pot which is considered perfect. It has not only provided new life and continual growth but has also created beauty and pleasure. A cracked pot that might have been considered as worthless by many and only fit for a rubbish tip, has surmounted its own flaws and still performed a worthwhile and important function in life. No matter what we think of our own imperfections or lack of ability, we can still provide worth and usefulness, especially if it is done with devotion to God. We may think that we only have a little to offer, but a little can mean a lot.