This week I have been speaking in a church in south Georgia. (Let me say that I am grateful it is not an outdoor meeting – it is hot!) In each place where God allows me to minister I am always looking for the message He has for me, not just the ones I am supposed to give to others.

God gives bread to those who are seeking to feed others (2 Corinthians 9:10), and I am convinced that many times the Lord has his preachers in a place so that He can feed them some truth that they need. In this particular meeting God has spoken to me about faithfulness. A verse has been on my mind this week: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

There is no shortcut to God’s blessing and there is no substitute for faithfulness. Education, talent, gifts, resources, connections – there is no substitute for faithfulness.

Mike Landrum, has been the pastor of the Bible Baptist Church of Brunswick for 45 years. It is one thing for a pastor to go to a church, but it is another thing for him to stay. While so many are shifting, it is refreshing to see some staying.

It is evident in the health of the church and in the mindset of those who labor alongside him. On the Lord’s day the church honored the youth director and his wife, Kirk and Hannah Branch. They are not paid staff, but for 30 years they have led the youth ministry and faithfully taught the Word of God to young people.

What a powerful thing to hear the testimonies of people across the country who are serving the Lord, leading their families, and ministering to others who were discipled by this couple. Only the judgment seat of Christ will reveal the eternal impact.

Think of it! A pastor faithful for 45 years and a youth director faithful for 30 years in the same place. In a world where the average pastor only stays 5 years and the average youth director only stays 18 months, I say praise God for people who just keep plowing where God put them.

Perhaps you are plodding along in unseen ways, unknown places, and unappreciated tasks. If God has given you the work to do, it is a great work – stay faithful. “Your labor in not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

If you have a faithful pastor, praise God for him, pray for him, and let him know you appreciate his faithful example. If you have had a faithful youth worker, teacher, or model take the time to show your gratitude. I can guarantee you that their faithfulness has not always been easy. It costs something to be faithful. The only thing greater than the cost will be the crown.

May God help all of us to be found faithfully doing what He assigned us to do when Jesus comes.