| Week-Day Religion |
Chapter 4 |
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There is a little fable which says that a primrose growing by itself in a shady corner of the garden became discontented as it saw the other flowers in their gay beds in the sunshine, and begged to be removed to a more conspicuous place. Its prayer was granted. The gardener transplanted it to a more showy and sunny spot. It was greatly pleased, but there came a change over it immediately. Its blossoms lost much of their beauty and became pale and sickly. The hot sun caused them to faint and wither. So it prayed again to be taken back to its old place in the shade. The wise gardener knows best where to plant each flower, and so God, the divine Husbandman, know where his people will best grow into what he would have them to be. Some require the fierce storms; some will only thrive spiritually in the shadow of worldly adversity, and some come to ripeness more sweetly under the soft and gentle influences of prosperity whose beauty rough experiences would mar. He knows what is best for each one.
The next thought is that it is possible to live a beautiful life anywhere. There is not position in this world in the allotment of Providence in which it is not possible to be a true Christian exemplifying all the virtues of Christianity. The grace of Christ has in it potency enough to enable us to live well wherever we are called to dwell. When God chooses a home for us, he fits us for its peculiar trials. There is a beautiful law of compensation that runs through all God’s providence. Animals made to dwell amid Arctic snows are covered with warm furs. The camel’s home is the desert, and a wondrous provision is made by which it can endure long journeys across the hot sands without drink. Birds are fitted for their flights in the air. Animals made to live among the mountain crags have feet prepared for climbing over the steep rocks. In all nature this law of special equipment and preparation for allotted places prevails.
And the same is true in spiritual life. God adapts his grace to the peculiarities of each one’s necessity. For rough, flinty paths he provides shoes of iron. He never sends any one to climb sharp, rugged mountain sides wearing silken slippers. He gives always grace sufficient. As the burdens grow heavier the strength increases. As the difficulties thicken the angel draws closer. As the trials become sorer the trusting heart grows calmer. Jesus always sees his disciples when they are toiling in the waves, and at the right moment comes to deliver them. Thus it becomes possible to live a true and victorious life in any circumstances. Christ can as easily enable Joseph to remain pure and true in heathen Egypt as Benjamin in the shelter of his father’s love. The sharper the temptations the more of divine grace is granted. There is, therefore, no environment of trial or difficulty or hardship in which we cannot live beautiful lives of Christian fidelity and approved conduct.
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