“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”

                                                                                                2 Corinthians 6:4-10

I’d like to ask you to do something. In just a moment I want you to read today’s scripture . . . like you are someone who is considering going into ministry.

You can’t really discern if God is placing a call on your life to serve in this way, but you want to know. So, you go to someone you trust, and ask their help. Words of wisdom, direction, purpose, scripture . . . anything.

So, they say, “Sure. If you want to know what it’s like, read 2 Corinthians 6:4-10.”

Now . . . slowly reread the passage . . . that will tell you what ministry is like.

That’s what a seminary professor did to us. After we’d read it, he told us to write a paper telling why we still wanted to go into ministry.

This calling is indeed a unique one. Every moment of your life is lived publicly. Victories and defeats. Mistakes and triumphs. Sin and righteousness. And your job is to display the grace God has afforded you through all the frustrations and foolishness and humanness.

The beauty of serving God, however, comes in what Paul talks about just before he says the above. And it’s the same beauty that comes with following God and serving Him in any capacity or ministry. The Greek word Paul uses is parakleseos. It means “coming alongside”.

That’s what God does. He walks beside you every step of the journey (except for the times He carries you.)

We all make mistakes. I know I’ve made my share. But the grace of God walking alongside us enables us to move past those mistakes and continue to serve Him. I pray that you’ll feel His presence today and every day as you serve Him.

“Comforting Father thank you for Your presence in our lives. Please wrap Your arms of grace around us and help us to continue to walk in the way of Your Son, for it is in His name that we pray, AMEN.”