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Earnest Work: A Recipe for Lessening Burdens, June 22
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then
am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
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There have been altogether too many looking in upon their own trials and
difficulties. But when they forget self, and look upon the suffering necessity
of others, there will be no time to magnify their own griefs. Earnest work for
the Lord is a recipe for mind ailments; and the helpful hand to lift the burdens
Christ has borne for all His heritage will lessen our burdens, and they will
not seem worth mentioning. True, honest work will give healthy action to the
mind by giving healthy action to the muscles. It is the constant manufacturing
of ills and burdens that kills. We are to be content to bear the strain of daily
duties; and the great pressure of tomorrow’s liabilities—leave these cares for
the time when we must take them.
We are called now to be educated, that we may do the work that God
has assigned to us, and it will not crush out our life. The humblest can have
a share in the work, and a share in the reward when the coronation shall
take place, and Christ, our Advocate and Redeemer, becomes the King of
His redeemed subjects. We must now do all in our power to seek personal
consecration to God. It is not more mighty men, not more talented men, not
more learned men, that we need in the presentation of the truth for this time;
but men who have a knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent.
Personal piety will qualify any worker, for the Holy Spirit takes possession
of him, and the truth for this time becomes a power, because his everyday
thoughts and all his activities are running in Christ’s lines. He has an abiding
Christ; and the humblest soul, linked with Christ Jesus, is a power, and his
work will abide. May the Lord help us to understand His divine will, and
do it heartily, unflinchingly, and there will be joy in the Lord.—
The Home
Missionary, November 1, 1897
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