My mother once challenged me when I was younger with a saying; ‘Your life is a gift from God, what you do with it is your gift back to him’. As an innately selfish teenager at the time, it really spoke to me. What was I doing with my life? Was it going to be lived only for me and my personal benefit, or was it going to be a vessel used to bless and serve others, my community, and the world in which I lived?
The theme for the Mueller secondary school in 2022 is ‘Living for more than me’. The Mueller wall has this quote painted on it, and it is something that will be reinforced in each year level through weekly SL@M and the Year level camps. It is a call to action for Mueller students to contribute to the greater good of others and their communities.
In 1 Peter 4:10, we’re called to use our gifts and talents to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace. It states that God is calling us to use our talents and skills for the benefit of others and our community. It is about living for more than self.
Some of us may wonder what giftings or talents we have? Perhaps we doubt what we might have when we compare ourselves to others who are very gifted or extremely talented. We may also wonder how we can use any giftings or talents we possess.
This week on assembly our Service prefects outlined a whole range of opportunities and ways students can use their talents and gifts to contribute to the service and fundraising projects happening at Mueller this year. These ways included; giving time, energy, participation, serving, promotion, money, and support. Not everyone can do everything, and certain things are done better by certain people. But there are definitely opportunities for everyone.
As we approach You Belong week later in the term, I am reminded from previous years what can be achieved when many people step into action to contribute to the greater good of others and their communities. We would love to once again reach the lofty target of $45,000 achieved in 2021 and donated to the Leukaemia Foundation. Whatever amount is raised, we hope to see students step into action in using their gifts and talents to contribute to their communities and the lives of those around them.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10
