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Key Bible Verse: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work” (John 4:34). Bonus Reading:1 Peter 4:1–11

Best known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll, Charles Dodgson tutored in math and Bible at Oxford Uni-versity, helping support his six unmarried sisters and other relatives, and paying for the schooling of many children. He also wrote books and stories to instruct and amuse both children and adults.

But letter writing was his passion. He wrote more than 100,000 letters—most filled with games, poems, puzzles, and sketches. He took time to compose each letter, often making notes, then rewriting in careful script with purple ink on fine paper. He admitted that the pleasure he received was part of the motivation to write, but “it is not selfishness … so long as it is not the motive that would outweigh the other.”

Serving through our gifts—both spiritual and natural—tends to energize us rather than exhaust us. As we discover our gifts, we’ll recognize where we can serve best. We’ll want to serve, rather than feel we ought to, because we’ll be serving in the way God designed us to. It always will cost us something to serve, but serving with our gifts will keep us enthusiastic and generous about spending ourselves.

—Joyce Sackett in Discipleship Journal

My Response: I’ll ask God to give me ideas for putting my gifts and abilities to work for the good of others.

Thought to Apply: One of the deep secrets of life [is] that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.

—Lewis Carroll

Adapted from: Discipleship Journal (5-6/00) by permission.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Here I am, Lord, ready to run any errands You have for me to express Your love.

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