"Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called." 1 Cor 7:20Spurgeon: "Some people have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by becoming pastors, missionaries, or Bible teachers. How many would be excluded from any opportunity of spiritual usefulness if this were the case. Beloved, it is not office - it is sincerity; it is not position - it is grace that will enable us to serve and glorify God. God is definitely glorified at the workbench, where the godly worker fulfills his task singing of the Savior's love. In this humble setting God is glorified far more than in many a lofty pulpit where official religion performs its scanty duties. The name of Jesus is glorified by the taxicab driver as he blesses God and speaks to his passengers of the living hope. He will be more useful than the popular preacher who goes about peddling the Gospel for profit. God is glorified when we serve Him in our proper vocations. Take care, dear reader, that you do not neglect the path of duty by leaving your occupation, and take care you do not dishonor your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings. Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the Gospel to noblest ends. Turn to the Bible, and you will find the most menial forms of labor connected either with most daring deeds of faith or with persons whose lives have been illustrations of holiness. Therefore do not be discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position or your work, remain in that, unless you are quite sure that He calls you to something else. Let your first concern be to glorify God to the best of your ability where you are. Fill your present sphere to His praise, and if He needs you in another, He will show it to you. This evening lay aside anxious ambition, and embrace peaceful content."
Candy's thoughts: Ecclesiastes states that there is "nothing new under the sun." Spurgeon (1834-1892) proves this point even back in the 19th Century because he felt it necessary to address the very real temptation of discontentment. A couple of Sundays ago a good friend of mine (Deb K) had the courage to state what was on many of our minds during our Sunday School conversation - and addressed by Spurgeon here! So many of us feel 'unimportant' relative to others who are serving God in their particular professions of missionary, pastor, or Bible teachers. Spurgeon's answer? "Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings. Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the Gospel to noblest ends." So let's take comfort in the encouragement of 1 Corinthians and of Spurgeon's words: "Lay aside anxious ambition, and embrace peaceful content." Amen to that.
Thank you once again, Candy, for posting this encouragement.
ReplyDeleteWhat timing, just yesterday here at camp in my relaxed comfort I apologized to God for not being useful to Him and for being to comfortable. I was quickly reminded that my ministry was right over there on the deck reading his boat magazine. My ministry begins at home serving (selflessly) the bridegroom of my youth. Once I have learned to do that the way God called me to do then perhaps I will be given more responsibility to serve my Lord.
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