The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” -Daniel 6:16
The favor that Daniel had with the king was incredible. What strikes me today is that in both references to Daniel’s God by the king in this chapter, he said “Your God, whom you serve continually.”
It seems that this is something that the king already knew about Daniel…something he had observed. Yet his favor was unhindered, and Daniel’s service to the king was so thorough and well done that those who were envious of him could not find fault with it.
This is so wonderful because it shows that serving God is so much more than vocation, so much more than occupation, so much more than what one does for a living or what earthly work one has.
What it looked like for Daniel, I do not know, but it was clearly distinguishable to a Pagan king. A king who was planning to set Daniel over all the kingdom, yet knowing that he continually served his God. His commitment to God was so definite in the eyes of his enemies that they knew the only way to undo him was to cause him to have to choose between his God and King Darius. They all knew that his God was the most important thing in his life.
I love this because in this season more than ever I am learning that serving God is simply obedience to God. It’s not only doing work that is seen or perceived as “serving” or “ministry” but obedience to God in whatever context, whatever work. He makes my ordinary extraordinary. It may not be obvious to those around me as it was to those in Daniel’s life, who it is I am serving, but it is obvious to the One who knows…the One who calls and leads. Yet it is my hope and prayer that at the very least it is evident that God is the most important thing in my life.
Serving God is not isolated to any specific type of activity or vocation. It is a posture of the heart. It is being yoked with Christ. It is obedience. True service is always, only obedience…to whatever He may lead.
May I not cease like Daniel to make communion with God my number one priority, and obedience to all He commands a constant way of life.
amywalkerwrites
Sixty-six books in a year 
“…I am learning that serving God is simply obedience to God. It’s not only doing work that is seen or perceived as “serving” or “ministry” but obedience to God in whatever context, whatever work.”
I love this! I am in that season of learning too – coming to terms that my life as ‘missionary’ has changed and though I am not as active in conducting village ministry, preaching sermons on Sundays, or working as closely in children’s ministry I am actively serving God by making my husband and children my priority. Serving them is my ministry; serving them is me being obedient and serving God.