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In the Work

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Oct 22, 1903

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 42.

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“In the Work”

By W. A. S.

Few of us do not need the exhortation to be more active in making missionary calls, and in working with the literature among friends and neighbors. There is direct witnessing for even the most retired members to do. No one can be so tied down by household duties as not to find some opportunity for service outside the ordinary.
But the phrase “in the work,” has come too commonly to mean the giving of one’s self to some form of regular professional work in the cause. It is too bad to allow the phrase this meaning. What is the work?—“This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:29.
Wherever there is a loyal, loving, believing heart, that soul is “in the work.”
The most of the time may be taken up with ordinary household duties, or with mechanical work; but if it is done as unto the Lord and for his sake, it is a part of his work, and the worker is in truth “in the work.” Old George Herbert sang truly of the blessedness of even drudgery “for his sake” who loved us:—
“Teach me, my God and King, In all things thee to see; And what I do in anything, To do it as for thee.
“All may of thee partake; Nothing can be so mean, Which with this tincture—for thy sake— Will not grow bright and clean.
“A servant with this clause Makes drudgery divine; Who sweeps a room as for thy laws, Makes that and the action fine.
“This is the famous stone Which turneth all to gold; For that which God doth touch and own Can not for less be told.”
We need not be surprised if in the day of God, many loving souls who scarcely dared think they were “in the work,” but who loved Jesus, and did what they could in a quiet, homely way, receive rewards equally glorious with those whose larger spheres of service they had almost coveted. The first shall be last, and the last first. We are all in the work if we love God, and allow his overcoming grace to work in our hearts, doing with our might what our hands find to do.
W. A. S.