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 third 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:
Strength Through Patience

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.“
Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)

Are you a patient person?  Would the people you serve with say you are a patient person?  How valuable do you view patience to be in the lives of people around you?  Do you typically view patient people as strong people? Why?  How often do most things happen when you want them to?  How much strength does it take to live with patience?  Is it easy or difficult for you to wait on the Lord? 

While they say patience is a virtue, it seems to be a virtue very few seek.  If you start to wonder about the patience level of people in general, try waiting just 2 seconds at a traffic light after it turns green — or have something keep you from responding immediately to a co-worker’s request.  Or have them not be able to respond immediately to you.  Too often, the impatience we have with people is also displayed in our struggle to have the strength required to wait for the Lord.

As you pray, ask God to fill you with the peace and strength necessary to serve with patience.  Pray that you would learn to have patience not only with those you serve, but also with those you serve alongside.  Pray that waiting for God’s perfect timing will teach you patience in your interactions with others.

In prayer,

Tom