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 six 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 In the Lord

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.“
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)

What are some things that people say are your strengths?  Do you always agree that you have the strengths others see in you?  Why?  Where do your strengths come from?  How strong would you feel if you had a team of experts in every area of life that you could call on at a moments notice?  How often do you call on God when you lack strength?  Would deliberately serving in the strength of the Lord change what you do today?  How?

While public speaking is an area of my life that is a weakness that God uses, writing is one that has always been a strength.  Yet it was not until I saw my strength in writing as being a gift from God, that He began to use it to His glory.  As you serve, recognize God’s ability and desire to use both the things you feel weak in and the thing you feel strong in to minister to others.  Recognize that with God’s Spirit in you, you have the ability to serve in the strength and power of the Lord.

As you pray, ask God to help you see and use your strengths as gifts from Him.  Pray that God would fill you with a humility that allows Him to be seen as you serve others in His strength.

In prayer,

Tom