Hopelessly Devoted

I am a woman of many moods and they all require chocolate. If chocolate were prescribed for feelings, maybe dark chocolate would be given for occasional bouts of depression. With financial trouble, maybe chewy caramel and nuts with milk chocolate, or for stress - semi-sweet chocolate with rice krispies. So many emotions, so many chocolates, so little time. Hopelessly devoted to chocolate? Hardly. Though today's variety of chocolate enticements might offer a temporary emotional escape, the chocolate hangover and extra pounds are definitely not worth the indulgence.
Good ole Webster's defines 'devoted' as a verb - a person who is set apart for a purpose. Hmmm, when you put it that way, I guess I am not as devoted to chocolate as I thought. Although the chocolate fix might be fun and satisfying for a moment, it's definitely not a healthy way to cope.
We are all devoted to something or someone; our job, husband, children, church or God. But just how devoted are we? A recent article in my newspaper showed what true devotion looks like. Darlene was a 48 year old woman who was terminally ill. Her dying wish to be married to her sweetheart, Scott was granted, just twelve days before she died. Darlene had stopped her anti-cancer treatments right before their wedding ceremony. Toward the end, as Darlene's cancer took over her body; she could not speak or even communicate with her new husband by blinking her eyes. Yet devoted Scott never left her side, he read her Bible verses, held her and comforted her. Darlene died peacefully, in the arms of her new husband, a short twelve days after they were married. Now that's passionate devotion.
God is hopelessly devoted to you.He is absolutely crazy in love with you. Jesus' dying wish was for you to know God's love. In John 17:23, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." When we choose to believe God loves us, it makes a difference in every decision we make and every turn we take.
God keeps you safe in his arms of love. His love will never let you go. He has an important plan for you. God affirms this love in Jeremiah 31:3, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness." God has loved you before time began; he has loved you for all eternity. What does devotion look like? It's God giving His Son Jesus to die in your place. I John 4:10, "This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." God is hopelessly devoted to you. Now it's your turn.
Hopelessly devoted to God? It's entirely possible; it is a choice we make every day, to believe God loves us and to walk out our devotion one step at a time. We can show the love of God with abandon in the way we treat our families, friends and church members. For starters, tell those around you "I LOVE YOU!" every time you get the chance. God gives His strength to us to show others what true devotion looks like, even to those we might view as unworthy, undeserving or unlovely. Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost for His Highest says, "You can never be the same after the unveiling of a truth. That moment marks you as one who either continues on with even more devotion as a disciple of Jesus Christ, or as one who turns to back as a deserter."