The details of serving

Today: 2 Corinthians 5-9

Have you ever been at a restaurant where the server went above and beyond?

It may not have even been a fancy place--just somewhere where the server called you by name, refilled your drinks before you ever had to ask, or sent you home with extra fresh breadsticks to accompany your leftover pasta. Maybe he held out your chair before you sat down or she brought extra crayons for the kids at the table. Great servers are great with the details.

What about the people who serve God? Maybe they volunteer at church...or maybe you just know them at work or school. Yup, the details are important there, too. Here's what today's passage said:

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.

Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 10-13