A Wish by C. R. Austin

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 23, 1875

A Wish.

By C. R. Austin

How often persons say, as they look back over a life of thirty, forty, or fifty years, “I wish I could live my life over again.” They greatly desire to have their life record appear just right in the day of final accounts, but they see blots upon it and deviations from the straight and narrow way that leads to the city of God; and they think, if they could live their life over again, they would make a fairer record for the inspection of the All-seeing Eye. But how vain this wish, be it ever so ardent. To no one has it ever been given to twice travel through this thorny maze, nor will it ever be.

Yet in this very arrangement is the love of God for his intelligent creation, surprisingly manifested. If the wish to present at the Judgment a spotless character for the glory of the Creator be sincere, and the one grand object for which we wish to live this life once or twice, how ample the provision for us to do so. Not by the length of life or the number of lives we may live here, but by the way in which we live this one, be it long or short, will our object be gained.

A perfect pattern has been given, which every one by close study and faithful application can imitate; and for every failure there is a fountain provided, and all who will present themselves a living sacrifice will find there is power in the blood of the Lamb of God to obliterate every stain of sin, every blemish caused by an unsanctified life, and strength will be given that will enable us so to live this brief life that instead of looking back over the past, with vain regrets for missteps, we shall look forward with earnest longings to a new and unending life with God our Father, the dear Redeemer, holy angels, and the good and pure of all ages.

Shall we who are permitted to live in this land, which is so highly favored of God, and so filled with a knowledge of his word, from which is blazing forth the light of “present truth,” sit down, with folded hands, while multitudes in the dark corners of the earth are in perishing need of the light of truth? Or shall we arise and call into action every faculty given us to help swell the last note of warning to a loud cry?

It has been truly said, “God has gone out before us.” Where are the laborers who will follow and so zealously devote themselves to the work of God, even at this eleventh hour, that they may soon hear from the lips of the Master, “Well done;” and may enter upon a life where no wish will be in vain, and no hope unfulfilled? C. R. AUSTIN.