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 five in the fifth 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:
Excellence With Earnestness

“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.“
Hebrews 11:5-6 (NIV)

How serious are you about the things you do?  The things you say?  The life you live?  The way you serve?  As you evaluate your life and goals, how determined are you?  Would the people closest to you describe you as determined?  What are your motives for serving?  Are you easily distracted from doing the works of service you are called to do?  How would the service you are doing now be different if you were excelling in earnestness?

JK . . . lol . . . nm . . . Seriously?  We use initials, words, and catch phrases all the time to add a disclaimer to what we do.  Just kidding, laugh out loud, and never mind are poor substitutes for saying what we mean and meaning what we say.  God wants us to excel in earnestness so that our “yes” is yes and our “no” is no.  Earnestness is important when we serve because people can typically see through the disclaimers we use and into the heart of the matter — our heart for them.

As you pray, pray that your earnestness in seeking God would transform the way you serve.  Pray that the people you serve would see you as completely genuine in your walk with Christ and in your service to them.

In prayer,

Tom