Faithful

Gidday!
A few quick things: 1. My job as a warehouse worker with EcoMed begins on Monday, please pray for that. 2. God is still burning in me through this Summer and I still want to encourage you all. 3. I've received incredible feedback from people about what God has been doing in their lives recently. Thank you so much for that, I love it. Praise God.

This past week, everyone left. My house is now empty except for Anthony and I. The team out at Macquarie is at about half of its original roster and everyone is either home for the holidays or working. It is incredible how much of Hillsong Church is based around the college as a volunteer work force. Almost all youth services take a break over the Summer because there are not enough people to put one together. I'm definitely missing my family and friends around this time of year. I love you all and thank you so much for supporting and encouraging me to come to Australia.

Recently, I heard a message about the meaning of Faithfulness that really struck a chord in me and has changed a few things about the way I do life. The message stemmed directly from the parable that Jesus gave in Matthew 25:14-30, in which a man leaves and gives his servants an amount of gold to be faithful with. The first two servants both take their money and invest it to receive double the amount. The encouragement given to them is "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things." In stark contrast is the message given to the final servant who had buried his gold in the ground. Even though he ended up with exactly what had been given to him (No loss), the master says, "You wicked and lazy servant!". The point here being that faithfulness goes beyond maintenance. To be considered faithful in this case means to actually have a positive impact (bear good fruit) in the responsibilities that you've been given.

Applying this to my own life, I took a look at what God has given me and how I can be faithful in it. Do I take good care of my house and add value to it? Do I encourage my friends and add value to my relationships? Am I practicing my instruments, reading books, strengthening my body, writing music, giving generously, and asking God to show me how I can be even more faithful every day? Yes, it's difficult. However, the reward is to be commended by God with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things." Plus, God is with us to strengthen us and help us in every step. So please, go after everything that God has for you by being faithful in what you have already.