Today during “coffee with the Lord” I read 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 – Paul’s personal expression of his ethics in serving the Lord – in several versions and was deeply challenged and impacted by his personal claim. I settled on “the Message” paraphrase of the passage to share today. Here it is…
“Don’t put it off! Don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details! People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly … in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.”
I was deeply challenged by that, I tell you! I want to honor my Heavenly Father and His Son – my Savior – Jesus, by living that way… IN EVERYTHING! …serving with those values clearly evident in my life! Don’t you?