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"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!' " Matthew 25:21
When the earthly life of one of our own at St. Paul’s has come to an end, I have to admit that I feel somewhat apologetic when reading the obituary and learning about their life after they have departed. Perhaps, due to our larger congregation size, I did not have the opportunity to meet and get to know them or learn their story, but I am grateful to be given a thumbnail sketch of that person’s life and legacy — to get a glimpse into how our faithful servants have invested their time in this short life, leaving a legacy of faith for generations to come.
About a month ago, two members of our congregation went home to be with Jesus. I was amazed at how they used their God-given abilities and talents — those blessings — to increase the Lord’s glory on earth and to continue to grow His church. It was clear that these servants did not shy away from the opportunities the Lord blessed them with throughout their lives. What an example of how we, too, should live while waiting for Jesus’ return (Matthew 25:14–20).
I often reflect on what my wise and faithful mom used to say: "We are all just passing through.” It's a reminder that our entire lifetime is just a moment, at best, and each of us is but a breath (Psalm 39:4-5), but yet what we do in this short time will be long-lasting through the generations.
How do we make a God-pleasing difference and impact? First, we must know God, deepen our faith in Him, be in close fellowship with Him to understand His will for our lives, and allow Him to lead us daily. Let us find that niche in life, in Him, so we can understand our purpose and value. We may not know what our life will be like tomorrow — it is here a little while, then it’s gone (James 4:14) — but we must live for the Lord, always keeping Him in the equation, including His will for us in our constant planning (Proverbs 3:6, Psalm 143:10, James 4:15, Ephesians 5:17). Then, may we inspire others to live out their faith boldly.
Let us keep the legacy of faith going strong, working diligently and joyfully for the Lord (Ephesians 6:7) while waiting for His return. May we be faithful with the goodness and grace, talents, resources, time, and everything He has entrusted to us. Then, when our time has come and the room He has prepared for us is ready (John 14:3), how wonderful it will be to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
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