Surrender God has a work for me to do, A path for me to tread, But oh, how steep the way appeared When I looked far ahead. I said, "Lord, I know fairer fields Where there is work to do, Fields with a harvest plenteous Where laborers are few— "And see, this path is full of thorns And burning desert sands." He said, "Each thorn becomes a rose When God Himself commands." " 'Tw ill take a greater instrument To do the work you've planned— " He said, "The smallest tool fits well W ithin the Master's hand." He waited till I'd finished, then He answered patiently, "You've told me all that you can do— Now, why not look to me?" And so, in shame, from all of self I turn my eyes away And simply lay my hand in Thine, And say, "Lord lead the way." "In His Hands" In the center of the circle Of the love of God I stand, There can be no "second causes," A ll must come from His dear hand; A ll is well, for is it not My Father who my life hath plan ned? Shall I pass through waves of sorrow? Then I know it w ill be best; Though I cannot tell the reasons, I can trust and so am blessed; God is love, and God is faithful So in perfect peace I rest. W ith the shade and with the sunshine, W ith the joy and with the pain, Lord, I trust Thee! Both are needed, Me, Thy wayward child to train. Earthly loss, did we but know it. Often means our heavenly gain. — jean H. Watson "While God gives every bird his food, remember He doesn't throw it into the nest."
I THESSALONIANS (continued) brethren, that ye abound more and more” in this essential grace. Further more, a situation had arisen in the church which required a special exer cise of brotherly love. Certain members of the church, possibly influenced by their expectation of a speedy return of Christ, were restless, meddlesome, and idle, neglecting their daily tasks and depending upon others to supply their needs. The situation seems to have been so serious that the advice of the apostles had been asked. They do riot forbid the exercise of charity. They encourage it. However, they do urge upon all believers to “study to be quiet,” that is, to make an earnest endeavor to be calm and collected and tranquil of spirit. Faith in Christ and the promise of His return give no excuse for excite ment,. for fanaticism, for unrest. A Christian should seek to maintain a quiet mind and to preserve peace. He should also avoid intruding upon the affairs of others, or imposing on them his peculiar beliefs. He should not be meddlesome. “Study” — or, “Make an earnest endeavor” — writes the apostle, “. . . to do your own busi ness” ; or, in modem homely parlance, “to attend to your own affairs,” “to mind your own business.” One must not be guilty of idleness. No religious theories, no study of prophecy can excuse one for neglecting his daily task. Manual labor is honor able and dignified. Paul had so taught the Thessalonians when he was with them. “Work with your hands,” he writes, “even as we charged you.” Two reasons are assigned for seeking “to be quiet” and for avoiding meddle someness and idleness. The first is that believers may not bring Christianity into disrepute with unbelievers; and the second is that they may not be dependent upon others for their sup port: “That ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.” True “love of the brethren” will incline one to seek peace, to attend to his own task, and to maintain an honest independ ence.
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