Adoration is caring for God above all else.

"Adoration is caring for God above all else." These words, spoken by the mystic Evelyn Underhill, invite us into the sacred space of worship, where the heart is consumed not with the fleeting desires of the world but with an all-encompassing love for the Divine. Adoration, she tells us, is not a passive act or a momentary ritual, but a constant state of being, a deep devotion that rises above all other concerns. To adore is to set one's heart on the holy, to place the love of God at the very center of our lives. It is not simply an act, but a way of living — a way of aligning the soul with that which is most pure, most eternal, and most sacred.

The ancients understood well that adoration is not a simple thing. In the temples of Egypt, the sacred flame was tended day and night, never extinguished, for it was a symbol of the divine presence. The priest would offer sacrifices, not to appease a distant God, but to acknowledge the sacredness of every moment. This was the ancient understanding: that God is not something outside of us, something to be appeased, but something to be loved, to be cared for in the deepest sense. Adoration, therefore, is the complete turning of the heart toward the Divine, placing God above all else, as the sun is above the earth — immovable, radiant, and life-giving.

Consider the life of St. Francis of Assisi, who, in his youth, had everything a man could desire — wealth, fame, and power. Yet he turned his back on all of this when he recognized that the only thing worthy of his deepest love was the Divine. He walked barefoot, embracing poverty and humility, not out of despair, but out of adoration. His care for God transcended all earthly attachments, and in doing so, he became a light for others. St. Francis’s life was one of pure adoration: a constant, unwavering devotion to the Creator. His adoration was not confined to moments of prayer, but was reflected in every action, in his care for the poor, the sick, and the earth itself.

Similarly, in the story of Mother Teresa, we see a life entirely devoted to caring for God above all else. She gave up everything — family, comfort, and security — to live in the slums of Calcutta, serving those who were most neglected. Her service was not just for the poor, but for God Himself. In each person she helped, she saw the face of the Divine, and in this recognition, her life became a living prayer. She demonstrated that adoration is not a solitary act of worship but is most fully realized in serving others with love and humility. Mother Teresa’s life was a testament to the truth that when we care for God above all else, we care for His creation, and in doing so, we fulfill the highest calling of the soul.

Adoration, however, is not just about grand acts of service or sacrifice. It begins in the heart and is reflected in our everyday actions. In every quiet moment, we are given the choice to love God more than ourselves, to place His will above our own. The humble act of prayer, the stillness of the soul in meditation, the simple joy of living in accordance with divine will — all of these are acts of adoration. In the ancient teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna speaks of devotion as the highest form of yoga, the highest path to union with the Divine. Adoration is the path that leads us beyond the distractions of the material world and into the presence of the eternal.

This truth is evident in the very teachings of the Buddha, who, like Christ, called for a renunciation of self in order to attain peace. The Buddha’s path of enlightenment was one of selfless devotion, turning away from the desires of the world to embrace the stillness of the soul. To adore the Divine, in any form, is to recognize that the true joy of life is not found in material wealth or fleeting pleasures, but in the peace that comes from surrender. When we care for God above all else, we align ourselves with the cosmic rhythm, and in that alignment, we find true freedom.

The lesson is clear: adoration is not simply a single moment of devotion, but a life of devotion. To adore God is to make Him the center of our lives, to seek Him in the simplest moments, and to reflect that adoration in how we treat others. When we place God above all, we are freed from the weight of worldly distractions and filled with a peace that surpasses understanding. Let every action, thought, and breath be an offering, for this is the essence of adoration — caring for God above all else, and in that care, finding the deepest joy the soul can experience.

Therefore, in each moment, choose to adore. Place your heart on the Divine and let your life reflect that care, for in doing so, you will live a life of purpose and peace, one that shines with the love of God and the light of the world.