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 one in the fourth 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:
Courage To Be Successful

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.“
Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV)

What makes a person successful?  Does your answer change based on what particular area of success we are talking about?  Should it?  Do you think it is easier for most people to succeed or to fail?  Why?  Is it possible to “cheat” your way to success?  Explain.  How would your view of success change if you were to see it as doing the right things in the right way no matter what?  What role does courage have in viewing success in such a way?

In a culture that often views success as reaching the top by some standard of numerical measurement, there is often little emphasis put on how we get there.  In a dog eat dog world, it seems that anything goes in our attempts to be seen and known as the best.  When God instructs Joshua, He makes it clear that it is through courageously doing the right things in the right way, success will be found wherever he goes.

As you pray, ask God to fill you with the courage necessary to do the right things in the right way no matter what.  Pray that you would see success as being faithful in your service to others and allow God to be in charge of the outcome.  Pray that  you would serve with courage when fear wants to lead.

In prayer,

Tom