The Quality of Faithfulness

By Helen Jesze, 30^th November 2018

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much…’ ”

Matt. 25:23 ESV

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful,”

1 Cor. 4:2 ESV

When I was 20 years old I moved from Surrey to Birmingham, England, to work in the T. L. Osborn Evangelistic Association office. Taking the advice of a good friend, Evangelist Henry Shave, I attended Hockley Pentecostal Church, which was led by two lady pastors, Miss Olive Reeve and Miss Harriet Fisher. Soon I was playing the piano for “Revival Night at Hockley” on Saturday evenings, and for several other meetings, and taking part in open-airs and evangelistic outreaches.

Life was good, I knew God had brought me here, and I was eager to learn what the Holy Spirit wanted to teach me. However, sometimes I missed a meeting at Hockley and went to help in other churches. One morning after the service, Miss Reeve said to me in her Brummy accent (Birmingham!): “ ‘Elen, where were you on Wednesday night? You’ve been missing some of the meetings lately!”

“Oh, Miss, I went to play for a Healing Campaign in Lichfield!” I replied, thinking this was a good excuse. But I wasn’t to be let off so lightly.

“That’s not good enough! Your place is here, not running off all over the place! If you don’t believe me, ask the Lord what he thinks!” Miss Reeve firmly replied. I was not very pleased at Miss Reeve’s words. Wasn’t I serving the Lord? Had he not opened these doors for me? my mind kept saying, but that night I asked the Lord to speak to me in my Bible reading.

At that time I was reading the story of Ruth where she went to glean in the field of Boaz, and these words leapt off the page in Ruth 2, v. 8 + 9:

“Listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field, neither leave here, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let your eyes be on the field that they do reap and go after them…”

I knew God had spoken! The “maidens” were Miss Fisher and Miss Reeve. I was to stay by them and my eyes should be on their “field”. So in the future, although I helped occasionally in another place, I concentrated on Hockley, learning not only consistency, faithfulness and commitment, but many valuable lessons, for this was a very unusual church, strong in the Word but also in the working of the Holy Spirit. I learnt to not just ‘play the piano’, but to usher in the presence of the Holy Spirit and lead the congregation into wave after wave of “singing in the Spirit”, releasing the Gifts of the Spirit. Hockley was a training-ground for which I will always be grateful.

I heard of a pastor who needed another pianist, and there were two men in his church who could play. He was advised to take Mr. A., for he was a better pianist than Mr. B. However, the pastor gave Mr. B. the position, for he could be counted on. He was faithful and consistent, whereas Mr. A. came when he wanted and did not show up at other times. Mr. A. was certain that he would be chosen because of his gift, but gifts and talents alone are not what God is looking for. Only after we have put these gifts on God’s altar to be used as he wants, can they be used to their full ability. As somebody said: Ability is not the most important thing but availability.

Commitment and faithfulness are qualities which are often ignored or laughed at nowadays, whether it is in relationships, in the work-place or in churches. Most people want to do their “own thing”, fulfil their own desires and not consider the good of others, or that they have any responsibility to others. If we say Jesus is our LORD, and really mean it, then we must allow him to develop these qualities in our character. If we will humble ourselves, he will exalt us in due time and open doors and ways that we could never have dreamed of!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be consistent in every area of my life. Develop in me the quality of faithfulness, in small and bigger things. You, who sees in secret, when nobody else is around, help me to fill that place you desire for me, even when it might not be my first choice, for you are my Lord and I know obedience brings blessing and glory to your Name.

Thank you Father, that you were so faithful and fulfilled your promise of sending us a Redeemer. As we celebrate the First Sunday in Advent, make this fact known to us in a new way, we pray. In the name of the One you sent, Jesus, who will save his people from their sins, Amen.