1 Corinthians 10:31 — Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

We honored some people in our choir tonight. Each of them had sung in the choir for more than twenty years. As I heard them talk about their experiences, the notion of devotion came irresistibly to mind.
“Devotion” seems to have first appeared in the English language in the sixteenth century. It can be traced back to an old French word and from there to Latin.
The Latin “devotionem” speaks of an “act of consecrating by a vow,” also “loyalty, fealty, allegiance;” in Church Latin, “devotion to God, piety.” This was the original sense in English.
Those people we honored tonight have truly devoted a lot of their time and talent to God.
In “A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life” in 1728, the Church of England Priest William Law wrote:

Devotion signifies a life given, or devoted, to God. He, therefore, is the devout man, who lives no longer to his own will, or the way and spirit of the world, but to the sole will of God, who considers God in everything, who serves God in everything, who makes all the parts of his common life parts of piety, by doing everything in the Name of God, and under such rules as are conformable to His glory.

Law’s comment broadens the meaning of devotion. In his description, devotion is not just an act — it’s an attitude.
It’s not just singers, or preachers, or teachers … Devotion is an attitude, a way of life that can be practiced by anyone and everyone. I’m reminded of Dorcas, in Chapter 9 of Acts — she “was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.” (Acts 9:36). She was, surely, devoted in her life. As Matthew Henry said, “Such characters as Dorcas are useful where they dwell, as showing the excellency of the word of truth by their lives.”
Devotion does have to be practiced. It requires planning, commitment and awareness. Think of those three singers — they had to plan to be, over the years, at more than a thousand practices and about as many services. They had to plan, and to be really committed. As to awareness — as Law says, above, devotion implies considering God in everything. True devotion is practicing the presence of God.
The truly devoted person is, I suggest, rare. I might be fooling myself, but I believe most of you are like me. You’re committed … but not perfect. Let’s stop to honor the folks who are a little bit closer!