Reflections on the EFCA Challenge Conference, Part 6...

This week, I have been continuing to share some reflections on what I experienced with nine High School students and staff as we traveled to New Orleans for the EFCA Challenge Conference. The theme of the conference was "Everything is New" and focused on the fact the Jesus life, death, and resurrection changes everything.

Yesterday, I shared what Craig Gross challenged us with from the third chapter of a letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles called the book of Colossians. Today, I would like to share with you a message that Bryan McWhite shared with us, as he unpacked the reality that we have a new catalyst as a result of our relationship with Jesus.

Bryan began by explaining that, in our culture today, faithfulness is the new radical.  Unfortunately, faithfulness is no longer a priority in our culture, whether it comes to relationships, employment, or finances. Bryan then unpacked that faithfulness in the day to day small stuff is the new radical by pointing us to Colossians 3:18-4:1:

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.  Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.  Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.  For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

Bryan revealed for us the reality that, so often, in our passion to do extraordinary things, we forget to recognize that faithfulness in the ordinary everyday things is extraordinary. Whether in our family relationships, or in our relationships in school or the workplace, it is our faithfulness in the everyday things that enables us to do extraordinary things for Jesus.

Bryan closed with a probing and pointed question: What would faithfulness in the everyday things look like?

So, what would faithfulness in the everyday things look like to you? And what do you need to do to be faithful in the everyday things?