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 four in the ninth 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:
Upheld By Integrity

“I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.  In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.“
Psalm 41:11-12 (NIV)

Do you know people who say one thing and then turn around and do something else?  How consistent are you at keeping your word?  When the going gets tough, are you more likely to finish things because you said you would or make excuses for why you quit?  Where you serve now, how often have you felt like giving up?  What has kept you serving?  How does the integrity of God hold you up when you are weary?

I think that most people have many times in life when they just feel like giving up.  Often, for the person of integrity, we keep going simply because we said we would.  We persevere because of our integrity and we are upheld by the integrity of God.  As we serve, even if it is just a cup of cold water to one who is thirsty, we can be assured by the integrity of God that He notices.

As you pray, ask God to uphold you in the hard times of life.  Pray that your integrity will lead you to follow through with what you say you will do.  Pray that your commitment to integrity would be a reflection of the integrity of God.  Pray that those you serve would be upheld by you as you serve with integrity.

In prayer,

Tom