Devotion

"They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
-Acts 2:42
      Recently in my church's college group, YDJ, we have been talking about fellowship. Our key verse is Acts 2:42, which I posted above. It mentions a very strong word, devoting. What does devoting yourself to something mean? What does it require? Devotion is more than a half-hearted effort or even a good effort. Today I want to show what devotion really entails.
      Our YDJ leader gave us a definition of devotion that I really think captures the meaning of devotion. Devotion is doing something with intense effort, despite difficulties. When someone is devoted to something, they will be completely focused and dedicated to what they are doing. People give their all to what they are devoted to. If a person is devoted to music, they will constantly practice and play with intense effort. I think the words intense effort are quite fitting for devotion, because it makes me think of someone who does something until the point that they can't. People will not give up on what they are devoted to.
      This brings me to my next point; despite difficulties. This part of the definition is just as important as the first part in my opinion. When a person does something with true devotion, nothing will stop them from doing that thing. Even if it gets hard to devote themselves, they will continue to place an all consuming effort. A truly devoted person continues through any obstacle, just to continue to do what they are devoted to. How does one devote themselves when things get tough?
      I think that for a person to become completely devoted to something, they have to believe in what they are doing. For a person to be devoted to sports, they have to believe they can get better and that time they devote to practicing will be worthwhile. A person won't give intense effort to something they don'y believe is worthwhile. In Acts, the disciples were able to devote themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer because believed that these things were worthwhile. Their belief was even stronger because they knew these things would affect them for eternity. The more you believe in what you do, the more you will be devoted to what you do. What are you devoted to? What is worth devoting yourself to? What do you believe in?
-Smart