Service of Passionate Devotion

What, I find myself asking, is the difference between devotion to the cause of Christianity and devotion to Jesus Christ?

I've joined a number of causes on Facebook, mostly because friends invite me and I hate to disappoint -- causes associated with the pro-life movement, the fight against homelessness and domestic violence, a cure for breast cancer, and others. Of those, I am most passionate about ending abortion and caring for the destitute. Those two have a direct effect in my life: I will not vote for a candidate who is not pro-life, and I work for a homeless shelter. I give financially to both causes on a regular basis.

Neither has as large or as direct of an effect on my life, however, as the cause of Christianity. In fact, both are a direct result of that greater cause. The cause of Christianity has shaped my sense of right and wrong and most of my major life choices -- my decision to marry, to have children -- four children -- and to homeschool those children. My decision to delay the pursuit of a career; my belief that my children needed a full-time parent. And it shapes my smaller, day-to-day choices, as well -- what I allow and do not allow my children to do, how I spend my money, my attitude toward alcohol, anger and forgiveness. What I read. What I watch. I don't shop at Victoria's Secret because I think much of their advertising strategy borders on the pornographic, and because I believe in the value of a woman as a child of God, I find that offensive and wrong.

The cause of Christianity has had a profound impact for good on my life. I'm beginning to realize, however, that the cause of Christianityis not the same as devotion to Jesus Christ; and should the former stand in the way of the latter, the impact ceases to be good, ceases to be life-giving, and actually becomes an agent of death. Strong words, but I think they're true. The cause of Christianity is about principles, not relationship, and we are not saved by principles.

Oswald writes: "A man touched by the Spirit of God suddenly says, 'Now I see who Jesus is," and that is the source of devotion."

Please, Lord, keep me looking up and give me eyes to see -- not just a cause -- but You.