"Da Shiueh" is one of the Four Classical Books of the Chinese. In ancient times, children started their elementary school training at the age of eight, learning how to read and write as well being trained in basic social manners. At fifteen they were sent to college to learn how to become a mature adult. "Da Shiueh" was a book intended for these "college students". At the very beginning of the book, it states: "The Way of a mature man is to live a moral life. He needs to have good relations with others, and pursue ultimate good as his goal. With the goal fixed, he can set his direction. With the direction set, he will have quietness of heart. With quietness of heart, he can rest. With rest, he is able to think and plan. With planning, he achieves. Everything has a beginning and an end. If one knows the sequence and priorities of things, one is not far from the Way."

I would like to use the above passage to bring insight to the Christian’s personal devotion. The purpose of our daily devotion is to know and manifest good virtue, to build good relations with others, and to draw closer to God, who is the ultimate Good. If one knows the goal of his life, he knows how to set his course. When the course is set, he can have quietness of heart. With quietness of heart, he can rest and plan carefully. With planning, he will achieve what he sets out to do. If one knows how to prioritize the things in life, he has learned to know the "how" of daily devotion. Many Christians recognize that God should be their ultimate purpose in life. Many have also set the course of their lives to glorify God through serving Him and others. Yet a great number of Christians lack quietness of heart. Without quietness of heart, one will not be able to rest. Without rest, he cannot think and plan.  Without thinking and planning, he does not achieve. It is not surprising for a non-believer to live a meaningless life, but it would be sad for a Christian if he were to accomplish nothing in life! 

Recently, due to the slowing down of the earth's rotation, Big Ben in England was adjusted backward one second in order to match with international standard time. Though the earth's rotation is slowing down, the pace of human life is going faster and faster. Technological development has not given us more leisure time. Rather, it is pushing us to run faster and faster. It is becoming difficult for us to rest physically, mentally and spiritually. Without quietness of heart, our devotion will be in vain. 

God said, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15) 

Indeed, the first rule of daily devotion is quietness and rest. 

Abridged from Pg.6, June 1995 issue of the Overseas Campus Magazine  Rev. Lee is the pastor of Honolulu Chinese Lutheran Church.