A Noun!

Recently inspired by the scriptures at work in the heart of C.J. Wakefield, were I was challenged to examine whether I am treating my spiritual walk as a commitment or a devotion to God, I have decide to create this Blog as an examination of Devotion.  Today I will examine the word its' self. 

First, devotion is a noun.  Yes, I said a NOUN!  You remember when you were in 1st grade learning about Nouns being a person, place, thing, or idea?  Well, Devotion is an "idea" Noun. We normally consider a noun something that is tangible or concrete.  We tend to include items that we can use one of our 5 senses to solidify our understanding of the item.  Like a house, a car, or a kitten.  We can see, touch, feel, smell, and if you are so inclined, taste these items.  Devotion however, is what your Language Arts teacher would call an "Abstract Noun".  Devotion is not tangible.  You can not hold it in your hand and look at it nor can you taste or smell it.  Devotion is therefore "abstract". 

So why the Grammar lesson?  Well, I wanted to point out that Devotion is NOT a VERB.  It is NOT a call to ACTION! DEVOTION is a STATE OF BEING.  We think of Devotion as something we do, but the truth is, Devotion is something that we ARE. 

According to Dictionary.com, Devotion caries the following meanings: 

1. profound dedication; consecration.

2. earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.

3. an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause, etc.: the devotion of one's wealth and time to scientific advancement.

4. Often, devotions. Ecclesiastical . religious observance or worship; a form of prayer or worship for special use.

 

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/devotion)

 

It may also inspire you to know that DEVOTION is synonymous with LOVE which is both a Noun and a Verb!  And we will get into that more in the next post. 

 

Acts 2:42  They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.