Francis de Sales: One True Devotion
This devotion challenges the reader to a deeper understanding of what exactly devotion is. De Sales points out that one can be deceived into thinking that their acts of charity – good works of any kind – are in fact devotion. But as he points out, one can do something good, but still have a heart that is not devoted (26)[1]. Devotion is “simply true love of God” (27), and our good works come out of that love of God. True good works come from devotion, and the two cannot be separated (28). Devotion is “the perfection of charity” (30).
In my life and in my spiritual development, it is good for me to take these words to heart. As a leader in my church, I do lots of “stuff.” Looking at all my roles and tasks, and looking at the ministries I am involved with, are they simply good works, or are they acts of devotion because I simply love God? I fear that at times, they are just tasks. I do “stuff” because it needs to get done, not necessarily because I love God.
But this is where I need to take another part of the reading. De Sales points out that the movement towards true devotion is like a spiritual ladder, and good acts come in various degrees, or rungs of a ladder (29). If I am developing my relationship with God, growing in love with Him each and every day, my works will develop more out of love for God than duty to God or my church. Engaging in spiritual disciplines out of love of God, along with the help of a spiritual director (30), I can move up the rungs of the ladder, coming to a place of complete devotion.
[1] All references with page numbers are from Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith, Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups, Revised and expanded (San Francisco: HarperOne, 2005).
The Wandering Wesleyan 