This is the second of six sections of "The Common Task", in F.B. Meyer's Light on
Life's Duties.
We are sent into this world to build up characters which will be blessed and useful in that great future for which we are being trained. There is a niche which only we can fill, a crown which only we can wear, music which only we can waken, service which only we can render. God knows what these are, and He is giving us opportunities to prepare for them. Life is our school-house. Its rooms may be bare, but they are littered with opportunities of becoming fit for our great inheritance.
Knitting needles are cheap and common enough, but on them may be wrought the fairest designs in the richest wools. So the incidents of daily life may be commonplace in the extreme, but on them as the material foundation we may build the unseen but everlasting fabric of a noble and beautiful character.
It does not so much matter what we do, but the way in which we do it matters greatly. What we do may or may not live; but the way in which we perform our common tasks becomes an indestructible part of our character, for better or worse, and for ever.
Suppose we meet the daily demands of life in a slovenly and careless spirit, caring only to escape blame, to earn our wage, or to preserve a decent average. Or suppose our one aim in life is to get money for our own enjoyment. Is it not clear that the meanness of the motive will react on the whole characfter behind it? Will it not be certain and inevitable that the soul which is always bathed in such atmosphere, confronted with such ideals, will become slovenly, careless, mercenary, and selfish? And when some great occasion arises it will call in vain for the high qualities of a noble nature.
Suppose, on the other hand, that we do the little duties of life faithfully, punctually, thoughtfully, reverently–not for the praise of man, but for the “Well done” of Christ–not for the payment we may receive, but because God has given us a little piece of work to do in His great world–not because we must, but because we choose–not as the slaves of circumstances, but as Christ’s freed ones–…
…then far down beneath the surge of common life, the foundations of a character are laid, more beautiful and enduring than coral, which shall presently rear itself before the eyes of men and angels, and become an emerald islet, green with perennial beauty, and vocal with the songs of Paradise.
We ought, therefore, to be very careful how we fulfil the common tasks of daily life.
We are making the character in which we have to spend eternity. We are either building into ourselves wood, hay, and stubble which will have to be burnt out at great cost; or the gold, silver, and precious stones, that shall be things of beauty and joy forever.
Join me tomorrow for part three in this six-part transcription of "The Common Task", by F.B. Meyer in Light on Life's Duties, 1895, Fleming H. Revell, Co. (available in the public domain on HathiTrust Digital Library).
Prayer
Father in heaven, you have given me life, not just for this world but life forever with you. Filter my sight, Lord, that I only see you and that the foremost goal of my life is to serve you, every minute, in every smallest detail. Let me not “despise the day of small things” for from these small things you gain honor and the evil one is vanquished, I am purified and made more into your likeness. I am an unclean human. See my thought-life and my heart-life; burn the dross of selfishness and pride and create in me a new, clean heart of purest gold so your bright image will be reflected in me. Let your light in me shine far into the darkness and give saving hope to those whom you send to me today. In the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Review Quote:
“Think ten times of Christ for every one of yourself.” — from “The Chamber of the Surrendered Will“, F.B. Meyer, Light on Life’s Duties.
Psalm 119 Review: Aleph (Ps119 1:1-8). Choral Reading
"Blessed are those whose ____ are _________
who ____ according to the ___ of the ____.
Blessed are those who ____ his ________
and ____ him with ___ their _____–
they do no _____
but ______ his ____.
You have laid down ________that are to be _____ ______.Oh, that my _____ were _________
in _________ your _______!
Then I would not be put to _____
when I ________ your ________.
I will ______ you with an _______ _____
as I _____ your _________ _____.
I will ____ your _______
do not _______ _______ me.
© April 2019 by ReadPsalm119.com.