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 sixth 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:
Grow In Faith

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’  He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.’“
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Are you the same size that you were when you were 2 years old?  Would you seek help for a child that didn’t grow?  Why?  Have you ever tried to become physically stronger?  Were you successful?  Why?  Do you want your faith at the end of the year to be the same size as at the beginning?  What will it take for it to grow?  How will serving help it grow?  How will its growth help you serve more effectively?

Praying that God would increase your faith is about as popular as praying for patience — the typical way of getting more of either of them is through situations that put them to the test.  It is said that no living thing remains the same.  It is either growing or declining.  The same is true when we have a living faith, we are either doing things that help it to grow or we find it slipping from our life.  When we ask God to help our faith grow, we should expect opportunities to serve in ways that require a greater trust in Him. 

As you pray, ask God to increase your desire for a growing faith.  Pray that you would not become complacent in your walk with God.  Pray that the way you serve would be marked by great faith.

In prayer,

Tom