True Devotion
You wish to live a devout life, dear reader, because as a Christian you know that such devotion is most pleasing to God's Divine Majesty. But since small errors committed in the beginning of any undertaking grow infinitely greater as we advance, and become in the end almost irreparable, you must first understand what the virtue of devotion is.
True devotion is nothing other than a true love of God. But it is not always love in its highest form. When divine love adorns our souls and makes us pleasing to His Divine Majesty, it is called grace. When it gives us strength to do good, it is called charity. But when it reaches such a degree of perfection that it makes us not only do good but do so carefully, frequently, and promptly, it is called devotion.
Devotion is simply a spiritual agility and liveliness by which charity works in us, or we work by charity, promptly and lovingly. Just as charity leads us to observe all God's commandments, so devotion leads us to observe them promptly and diligently.
In short, devotion is nothing else than a spiritual agility and vivacity by which charity does its work in us, or by aid of which we work quickly and lovingly.
📖 Scripture
Psalm 119:32 - "I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!"
🙏 Prayer
Lord, I desire to live a devout life, not out of obligation but out of love for You. Help me to serve You not reluctantly but promptly and joyfully. May my devotion be genuine—flowing from a heart transformed by Your grace. St. Francis de Sales, pray for me. Amen.