Making the Most of LifeMiller, J. R. (James Russell)
Philosophy
Making the Most of Life
Miller, J. R. (James Russell)
Christian life
Take another view of it. Some people seem to suppose that only
spiritual exercises are included in this living sacrifice; that it does
not cover their business, their social life, their amusements. But it
really embraces the whole of life. We belong to God as truly on Monday
as on the Lord's Day. We must keep ourselves laid on God's altar as
really while we are at our week-day work as when we are in a
prayer-meeting. We are always on duty as Christians, whether we are
engaged in our secular pursuits or in exercises of devotion. All our
work should therefore be done reverently, "as unto the Lord."
We should do everything also for God's eye and according to the
principled of righteousness. The consecrated mechanic must put
absolute truth into every piece of work he does. The consecrated
business man must conduct his business on the principles of divine
righteousness. The consecrated millionaire must get his money on God's
altar, so that every dollar of it shall do business for God, blessing
the world. The consecrated housekeeper must keep her home so sweet and
so tidy and beautiful all the days, that she would never be ashamed for
her Master to come in without warning to be her guest. That is, when
we present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice, we are to be God's
in every part and in every phase of our life, wherever we go, whatever
we do.
"I cannot be of any use," says one. "I cannot talk in meetings. I
cannot pray in public. I have no gift for visiting the sick. There is
nothing I can do for Christ."
Well, if Christian service were all talking and praying in meetings,
and visiting the sick, it would be discouraging to such talentless
people. But are our tongues the only faculties we can use for Christ?
There are ways in which even silent people can belong to God and be a
blessing in the world. A star does not talk, but its calm, steady beam
shines down continually out of the sky, and is a benediction to many.
A flower cannot sing bird-songs, but its sweet beauty and gentle
fragrance make it a blessing wherever it is seen. Be like a star in
your peaceful shining, and many will thank God for your life. Be like
the flower in your pure beauty and in the influence of your unselfish
spirit, and you may do more to bless the world than many who talk
incessantly. The living sacrifice does not always mean active work.
It may mean the patient endurance of a wrong, the quiet bearing of a
pain, cheerful acquiescence in a disappointment.
"Noble deeds are held in honor;
But the wide world sadly needs
Hearts of patience to unravel
The worth of common deeds."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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