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 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:
Leading With Integrity

“He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.  And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.“
Psalm 78:70-72 (NIV)

How easy is it to follow someone who doesn’t seem to know where they are going?  How about serving when your leader can’t seem to make up their mind about what needs done?  How do you feel when you do something to help others and later find out you had been misled and the help didn’t go where it was supposed to?  How does integrity help you to lead people in a way that serves others rather than yourself?

Very few, if any, of us like to follow a “wishy-washy” leader. When we begin to have doubts about a leader’s commitment to doing what they say, it isn’t long before we hesitate to follow. When we lead with integrity, those we are serving are more likely to benefit because they have a confidence they will not be let down by our lack of follow-through. When we lead with integrity, it means we will make every effort to do what we say we will and simply apologize without making excuses when we can’t.

As you pray, ask God to help you be a person who leads with integrity as you serve others. Pray that you would be careful with the words you say and with the promises you make so that your integrity is not questioned.

In prayer,

Tom