It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others.  There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others.  Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season.  I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.

This is day two in the first week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”.  This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.

Serving God:
Serve By Sharing

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:12-13 (NIV)

What do the people around you need?  What resources have you been given?  How will sharing what you have benefit the people around you?  Why are some things often more difficult to share than others?  Are there things that you have held onto that God would want you to share this week?

God gives each of us a variety of gifts in both resources and abilities with the expectation that we will share for the benefit of others.  My first writing assignment from God was a poem.  Partly because it came out of my prayer time, I realized rather quickly that it didn’t have its origins in my wisdom.  As I shared it, the poems kept coming and as I compiled the collected poems into a book to share with people, God began to give me other writing assignments as well.  I believe there are times we don’t seem to receive from God because we have not yet shared what He has already given. 

As you pray, ask God to fill you with a desire to share.  Pray that you would understand and practice your responsibility to share with those in need.  Pray for wisdom to know how to do that well.

In prayer,

Tom