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 seven in the second 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:
Contentment With God’s Presence

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’“
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

If disaster were to strike and you only had time to save one physical possession, what would it be?  Why?  What things tend to lead people to a lifestyle of accumulation?  How should knowing God will never leave you help you to grow in a contentment with what you have?  Why does money seem to be such a huge distraction when it come to our having a growing relationship with God?  Are there times that you feel you need more than God’s presence?  Why?  How does having a contentment with God’s presence help you to serve others?   

If I don’t keep a close eye on myself, I can become a hoarder rather quickly.  For some reason, it can be easier to put my trust in things I can see and feel rather than in a God who has proven Himself trustworthy over and over again.  When our mind is set on accumulating, we tend to serve based on what we think we can get out of doing so.  However, when we learn to be content with God’s presence, it helps us to freely serve others knowing that we don’t have to gain anything from them.  As you pray, ask God to help you see His presence as being enough.  Pray that you would serve others freely, expecting nothing but a filling of God’s presence for doing so.

In prayer,

Tom