p. 141 | SUCCESS IN SERVICE by Mrs. C. W. Bixby

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 26, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 9

SUCCESS IN SERVICE.

By Mrs. C. W. Bixby

BY MRS. C. W. BIXBY.

What we need is often not so much an increase of ability to work, as a disposition to use the ability we have. What we lack is often not so much a fitness for some position of usefulness as a willingness to perform the duties of the position assigned us. To ignore the present available opportunity, while vainly desirous of something better suited, as we think, to our capacities, is to arraign the Lord and Master, who appoints us our position, at the bar of our own private, and often perverted, judgment. The meekness and lowliness of heart which were the qualifications of his excellent Sonship, transcribed in the heart and life of his adoring disciples, have ever been fruitful of the most gratifying results; and the operations of the Holy Spirit most graciously attend the labors of him whose meekness is avouched and whose humility is apparent. If we would give more earnest attention to the manner of our service, and subject our motives to a more careful scrutiny, we might find a ready solution to the oft-intruding query, Why has our labor been in vain, and our strength spent for naught?

The Christian warfare offers no inducements to engage the attention of the craven-hearted, nor promises reward to a divided service. The successful endeavor is but the legitimate result of the faithful surrender of all the powers of our being. To be free in Christ is the essential fitness for a glorious service in his name. To have kept back no part of the price; to have brought for his acceptance nothing that was spurious; to have cleared ourselves from the entanglements of Satan, whereby his hold on us could be maintained; to have gained the victory over self in a battle against such fearful odds, having arrayed against us, “the world, the flesh, and the devil”; and to understand that it is by His power that we have been emancipated, is to enlist our unswerving allegiance and prepare us for a mighty effort. Strength and vigor born of deadly conflict with the powers of darkness seeking to devour our own soul, and the healing balm of a conscience void of offense toward God and man, need but to apprehend the divine appointment of any earthly mission; and He in whose warfare we have engaged will give success to our banner and victory to our arms.

In the glorious revelations of the day of final achievement, not he alone whose towering form was prominent in the foremost ranks shall shout deliverance, but the humblest ensign, whose duty it was but to bear the colors of his commander, will raise his voice in the great acclaim.

We marvel sometimes at the abounding usefulness and unmeasured success of those whose years certainly offer no explanation of how they achieved such fitness for the work which seems to have been placed ready at their hand. And we have heard those advanced in years express regret that a spirit of laggard obedience too often characterized their earlier efforts. The passing moments bring to us wisdom or weakness, according as we improve or misimprove our opportunities; and a ready and willing obedience, even in the smallest matter, is sure to bring its meed of approbation. He who made a wise investment of two talents received from his lord the same commendation as he who, with greater endowment, produced corresponding return.

Our watchword, then, is faithfulness. Faithfulness in that which is least, faithfulness also in much, will be seen at last to have been alike fruitful to the praise of Heaven’s King.

Francestown, N. H.