I’m often curious about the day-to-day spiritual practices of famous, faithful people. Did they shine only when others were watching, or was their devotion to God sincere and consistent?

Did Saint Francis ever have dry spells in his prayer life? Was Billy Graham gracious to others when he was off the stage? Did Augustine frequently neglect his Bible?

Thomas More is mostly remembered for his book Utopia. After that, he is remembered for refusing to go along with King Henry VIII’s Act of Supremacy. More had to resign as Lord High Chancellor of England, was imprisoned in the Tower of London, and after a series of “trials” was beheaded.

Before he fell out of favour with King Henry he was attending a weekly church service. He was summoned by one of the king’s servants. The king wanted to talk. More didn’t move. The servant asked a second time. More indicated that he was occupied. The servant summoned More yet again. Didn’t he know the King of England wanted to speak with him? More replied that he needed to first finish his act of homage to a higher King.* In other words, he was going to have to wait until the church service was finished. The King of England needed to yield to the King of kings.

I’m guessing that we all have seasons in life when our motivation goes into the toilet and our devotional lives suffer. But perhaps there are times when the reason for our loss of focus is just that: we lose sight of why we’re doing what we’re doing and who it’s all about.

What if Hebrews 10:24-25 was written today for people like you and me: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…”

It’s about the King of kings. He created us. In Christ he saves us. By his Spirit he guides and teaches us. 

There are times when the rushing world can wait, and when the dinging on your phone can be muted, and when the excuses (and lies) we toss around to justify our neglect can stop their dizzying games.

Today let’s start again. It’s about Jesus.

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Notes:

–*As told in:  Thomas Stapleton, Life of Sir Thomas More (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd, 1928), 38.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.