| Week-Day Religion |
Chapter 4 |
Page 5 |
Besides, it is no heroism to live patiently where there is no provocation, bravely where there is no danger, calmly where there is nothing to perturb. Not the hermit’s cave, but the heart of busy life, tests as well as makes character. If we can live patiently, lovingly and cheerfully amid all our frets and irritations day after day, year after year, that is grander heroism than the farthest famed military exploits, for he that ruleth his own spirit is better than he that taketh a city.
This is our allotted task. It is no easy one. It can be accomplished only by the most resolute decision, with unwavering purpose and incessant watchfulness.
Nor can it be accomplished without the continual help of Christ. Each one’s battle must be a personal one. We may decline the struggle, but it will be declining also the joy of victory. No one can reach the summit without climbing the steep mountain path. We cannot be borne up on any strong shoulder. No one, not even God, can carry us up. Heaven does not put features of beauty into our lives as the jeweler sets gems in clusters in a coronet. The unlovely elements are not removed and replaced by lovely ones like slides in the stereopticon. Each must win his way through struggles and efforts to all noble attainments. The help of God is given only in cooperation with human aspiration and energy. While God works in us, we are to work out our own salvation. He that overcometh shall be a pillar in the temple of God.
We should accept the task with quiet joy. We shall fail many times. Many a night we shall retire to weep at Christ’s feet over the day’s defeat. In our efforts to follow the copy set for us by our Lord, we shall write many a crooked line and leave many a blotted page blistered with tears of regret. Yet we must keep through all a brave heart, an unfaltering purpose and a clam, joyful confidence in God. Temporary defeat should only cause us to lean on Christ more fully. Heaven is on the side of every one who is loyally struggling to do the divine will and to grow into Christ likeness. And that means assured victory to every one whose heart fails not.
“If only we strive to be pure and true,
The foam of the sea will lower its crest,
And the weary waves that we used to breast,
Will sob and turn, and sink slowly to rest
Page 5
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