Simple Willingness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 14, 1907

Simple Willingness

“A SIMPLE willingness to serve the Master.” It was a petition in a good man’s prayer, which, falling on the ear of the writer, has long dwelt in her memory.

In this busy, hurrying age, when so many are working at fever heat, in the church as well as out of it; when our books and papers, the sermons we hear, even our intercourse with friends, all seem to stimulate to yet greater activity, that prayer for “simple willingness” falls like a soothing balm upon the overwrought.

There are some of us—not a few—whose hands are not idle, but who chafe and fret against the bounds of our appointed place, and look longingly toward what we deem a nobler, larger work. The words “mission,” “vocation,” “a higher sphere of activity,” so much on the lips nowadays, too often steal between us and a simple willingness.

We are too prone, “the daily task forgetting,” to look too eagerly beyond to some great work we should love to perform for the Master; while we count as “common” the work he himself has laid upon our hands. We pant to serve him in the throng, when he calls us to a desert place.

“Do not pray for strength to bear the tortures of the Inquisition,” says Spurgeon, “when what you need may be grace to uncomplainingly darn the family hose!”

We may fondly think how well we might serve the Master “in such and such a place.” “If I were free from such heavy, homely cares,” sighs one; “If I had only my once firm health,” moans another.

What we may need for service anywhere is the simple willingness to “do the next thing,” whatever that may be.

How would the church—aye, the world—grow in grace if the servants of Christ more frequently and sincerely lifted and practised this beautiful petition.—The Christian.