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Joy in Service, August 10
Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and
whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mark 10:43, 44
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It is in a life of service only that true happiness is found. He who
lives a useless, selfish life is miserable. He is dissatisfied with himself and
with everyone else. The Lord disciplines His workers that they may be
prepared to fill the places appointed them. Thus He desires to fit them to
do more acceptable service....
There are many who are not satisfied to serve God cheerfully in the
place that He has marked out for them or to do uncomplainingly the work
that He has placed in their hands. It is right for us to be dissatisfied with the
way in which we perform duty, but we are not to be dissatisfied with the
duty itself, because we would rather do something else. In His providence
God places before human beings service that will be as medicine to their
diseased minds. Thus He seeks to lead them to put aside the selfish
preference, which if cherished would disqualify them for the work He has
for them.
There are those who desire to be a ruling power and who need the
sanctification of submission. God brings about a change in their lives.
Perhaps He places before them duties that they would not choose. If they
are willing to be guided by Him, He will give them grace and strength to
perform these duties in a spirit of submission and helpfulness. Thus they
are being qualified to fill places where their disciplined abilities will make
them of great service.
Some, God trains by bringing to them disappointment and apparent
failure. It is His purpose that they shall learn to master difficulty. He
inspires them with a determination to make every apparent failure prove a
success.
Often men pray and weep because of the perplexities and obstacles
that confront them. But if they will hold the beginning of their confidence
steadfast unto the end He will make their way clear. Success will come to
them as they struggle against apparently insurmountable difficulties, and
with success will come the greatest joy.
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