Cultivating Devotion
Six Questions To Help Us Lean Into Jesus
Have you ever had one of those moments where you realize you’ve been entirely oblivious to something obvious? That happened to me this past Super Bowl Sunday. I was recovering from the flu, reclined on the couch, and watching over an hour of pregame programming. The game finally kicked off, and we got through several plays before my wife, Carrie, who had been listening from the kitchen, walked in and asked, "Is the entire game going to be in Spanish?" Wait… what? How in the world did I end up selecting the Spanish channel? And why did I not notice that everything was in Spanish for the past 90 minutes?!
Sometimes, our walk with God can look a lot like that. We’re moving through life, going through the motions, and missing that we’re not even tuned into the right channel. We can read the Bible, pray, and show up at church, but if we aren’t intentionally cultivating devotion, we might find ourselves mechanically committed but spiritually disconnected without even realizing it. It’s easy to assume we’re where we need to be when, in reality, we’re missing vital moments of connection with God.
That’s because devotion isn’t just about checking boxes but engaging in a dynamic relationship. It’s not a static process but a dance, a rhythm that moves and shifts with seasons. Some days it’s the waltz, smooth and beautiful. Other days it’s the electric slide, and I have no idea what I’m doing. The key is to keep dancing, even when you don’t feel like it. There will be times when seeking God feels easy and other times when it feels like a struggle. The good news? He is always worth the pursuit.
That’s why we’re diving into six questions to help us cultivate devotion and lean into our relationship with Jesus.
1. Am I Earnestly Seeking God?
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
David, in a dry and weary land, wasn’t just casually browsing for God like we do at the clearance rack of our favorite bookstore—"Oh, look, a cute devotional!" No, he was desperate, hungry, thirsty. And let’s be real—sometimes we just go through the motions. If we want to cultivate devotion, we’ve got to get back to seeking God, not just fitting Him in when it’s convenient.
There are only two times in life that you need to seek God with your whole heart. #1. When you feel like it, and #2. When you don’t feel like it — and the second is more important than the first.
2. When Was the Last Time I Saw God?
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Psalm 63:2
I’m not talking about a literal "He showed up in my living room with coffee" moment (though I wouldn’t be opposed to it). But when was the last time you experienced God’s power? When He broke a stronghold, spoke to you, or showed up in the little moments? If it’s been a while, maybe it’s time to lean in and look for Him. He’s always moving—we just need eyes to see.
Consider this… Maybe we haven’t seen God move recently because we aren’t making any faith moves—we’re just moving. We stay busy, doing what’s manageable and within our control. But God doesn’t just show up where we’re comfortable; He surrounds us when we step beyond our own ability. When we take a step of faith into something bigger than ourselves, that’s when we experience Heaven moving on our behalf. God will let us handle what we can, but when we step out in faith, that’s when He steps in.
3. How Is My Worship?
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 63:3-7
Worship isn’t just for Sunday mornings—it’s heart surgery, warfare, gratitude, humility. It’s not about the music, but about the posture of our hearts. When was the last time you worshiped outside of church? Some of the most transformative worship encounters have happened in my car or house when I’m home alone. Worship shifts the atmosphere and re-centers us on God. Are we living life for His glory or our gain?
4. Am I Fully Satisfied With God?
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Psalm 63:5
Imagine the best meal you’ve ever had—one so satisfying that dessert wasn’t even necessary. Now, is Jesus that satisfying to you? Or do you keep filling up on distractions like social media, entertainment, or work? If He’s not enough, you may have trained your pallet to crave other things.
I love drinking water—nothing quenches thirst like a crisp, ice-cold glass of it. But something weird happens if I’ve been on a Coke Zero binge. My body stops craving the very thing that actually gives it life. Instead, I just want more of what leaves me unsatisfied. The only way to reset my thirst is to step away from the thing that’s been replacing it. And isn’t that exactly how our souls work? If we want to truly hunger for God, sometimes we have to distance ourselves from the distractions that have dulled our appetite for Him.
5. Do I Really Walk With God?
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Psalm 63:6
Walking with God isn’t just about Sundays—it’s a daily, moment-by-moment relationship. Are we fitting Jesus into our schedule, or is He the center of it? Maybe it’s time to invite Him into everything—morning coffee, commutes, gym time, even grocery shopping.
6. Do I Really Trust God?
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.
But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God will glory in him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
Psalm 63:7-11
We say we trust God, but do we really? When things go sideways, do we panic or rest in Him? Trusting God means letting go of control and believing that He’s got us, even when we don’t see how it will all work out.
At the end of the day, cultivating devotion isn’t about striving for perfection—it’s about showing up, again and again, even when it feels messy. It’s about seeking God when we’re thirsty and trusting Him when we feel lost. It’s about making room for Him in our daily rhythms and letting His presence reshape our priorities. When we hunger for Him more than the distractions around us, we begin to experience the fullness of life He offers.
So, keep seeking, keep stepping out in faith, and keep leaning into His presence. Because the more you draw near, the more you realize that He was never waiting for you at a destination, but He drew closer in the pursuit.
Great post and great formatting! Your substack skills are apparent.