Last month, I bumped into someone whom I have known since he was a Secondary 1 student. He is now a working adult and got married recently. We chatted about many things, and when I asked how he was doing in church, he said with a laugh, “still playing the piano”.

He has served as a church pianist for as long as I could remember. In the last 10 years at least, he has gone through various life transitions. Yet his service to God as a pianist is like a repeated melody in his life.

I think that is what faithfulness looks like: doing something over and over again, each day, week, or month, if that is what is required.

But we tend to become restless over time and we hope for a breakthrough. While that might not happen all the time, it is equally important that we commit to do the regular tasks well, and to do them better. Some of these repetitive routines and good practices include reading the Bible, turning up for church meetings, doing household chores, or taking care of children or elderly parents.

They may not even be measurable, visible to others, or appear to be exciting and significant. But the process of spiritual growth is long, gradual and often made up of tedious, consistent and habitual practices. We trust that Jesus, who is the Vine, is helping us, as the branches, to grow and bear fruit when we are faithful to obey Him in all things – regardless of whether they are big or small, special or just ordinary. (John 15:5)

Looking ahead to 2022, I hope I will be a faithful servant. So, don’t be surprised if I tell you that I am doing the same things as this year.