“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works…and not be unfruitful.” Titus 3:14 ESV
Anybody out there old enough to remember the 1978 American musical film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John? Set in the 1950s, “Grease” is the story of an unlikely summer romance between two teens from different “worlds”, a greaser named Danny (Travolta) and a “good girl” named Sandy (Newton-John).
Unexpectedly, the pair meet again when they find themselves at the same high school in the fall. The relationship does not pick up where it left off. Danny is back with his crew of greasers, the T-Birds, for their senior year. And, a “goody-goody” girlfriend does not pair well with Danny’s tough-guy persona.
Danny’s snub of Sandy breaks her teenage heart and sends her into the night to sing, “Hopelessly Devoted,” because that’s what teenage girls do in musicals when their hearts have been broken.
“I’m out of my head, hopelessly devoted to you.
My head is sayin’, ‘Fool, forget him’
My heart is sayin’, ‘Don’t let go. Hold on to the end.’
That’s what I intend to do
I’m hopelessly devoted to you.”
Danny and Sandy’s story continues through its ups and downs, and (spoiler alert!), in the end, true love triumphs.
This song, “Hopelessly Devoted,” came to mind as I thought about the word “devoted.” When the song title entered my mind, I also had to consider the word “hopeless.” The definitions below were quickly available in my handy online dictionaries.
Devote – Devotion:
Definition. Commitment pledged by a solemn act, to give or direct resources (time, money, effort) to a respected cause. Great love, affection, or admiration. Intense, zealous, or ardent attachment, loyalty, or affection. (from Merriam-Webster.com, CollinsDictionary.com, Dictionary.com)
Hopeless – Hopelessly:
Definition. Not expecting a good or successful outcome, despairing, without remedy or cure, incapable of redemption or improvement, beyond or without hope, desperate, impossible, incurable. (from Merriam-Webster.com, CollinsDictionary.com, Dictionary.com)
I realize the song’s lyrics are straight out of the 1970s pop culture lexicon, but I know people —and I bet you do too —who are trapped in lives of despair, devoted to people, things, and ideologies that offer no hope, no cures, and no possibility of redemption.
As observers on the outside looking in, we wonder how do people devote themselves to something that gives back nothing – NOTHING – in return? In fact, those other things, be they people or idols that have gained access to the heart, are only “takers.” They never give back. They are, in the end, always hopeless endeavors.
Scripture tells us more about devotion. You cannot divide your love, devotion, affections, or commitments between two opposing forces.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” Matthew 6:24 ESV
When Nehemiah, cupbearer to the King of Persia, was called by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem torn down and left in rubble by the conquering empires, he fully devoted himself to his calling. He refused to allow the luxuries afforded by his position in the royal court to sway his determination to follow God. Once back in Jerusalem, Nehemiah devoted all that he had – time, energy, and financial resources – so that he could give himself wholly in obedience to God and rebuild the wall.
“I devoted myself to the work on this wall.” Nehemiah 5:16 NIV
Nehemiah was hopefully devoted.
Nehemiah was convinced that rebuilding the wall was God’s initiative. He was acting in obedience and confidence that God would provide all that was needed to complete the project.
When we are following hard after God, devoted in obedience to Him, we can be confidently hope-filled knowing that God will complete and bless the good work to which He has called us.
In Paul’s writing to Titus and the fledgling churches in Crete, he encouraged Titus to remind the believers that their salvation was not because of anything they had done; it was because of God’s mercy, love, and kindness.
Because of Jesus, God generously poured out His Holy Spirit to regenerate, transform, and equip us. God made us His adopted children, joint heirs with Christ Jesus, giving us the hope (certainty of promise) of eternal life. And God did this so that we who belong to Christ Jesus will devote ourselves to do what is good and pleasing to God.
“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Titus 3:8 ESV
Dear One, there is nothing hopeless about our devotion to God. He has given us His promise of eternal hope. He has more than earned our undying devotion—He deserves—no better said, our devotion belongs to no one but God. God alone.
May it be said of us, as it was written about good King Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, “His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 17:6 ESV or as it is written in the NIV version:
“His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 17:6 NIV