CHOOSING LABOR by W. N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 10, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 10.

CHOOSING LABOR.

By W. N. Glenn

It is one thing to know what the Lord would have us to do, and another thing to go right ahead in the performance of the required duty. Even in the ready and submissive Paul, we find one instance of a desire to labor in a field of his own choosing. On his return from Damascus to Jerusalem, he was very anxious to preach there; it was quite natural that he should wish to counteract some of the evil influences of his former course in that city. But the Lord had designed something else for him, and told him, while in a trance in the temple, to "make haste" and get away, for the people of Jerusalem would not hear his testimony. Still Paul thought he could accomplish something there, and the reasons he advanced for thinking so were among the very reasons why he could not labor to advantage in that city.

And right here is one of the deceptions that Satan would play upon God's people in these last days—especially upon the young. There is great anxiety to engage in the work, but there comes with it the desire to choose that which appears more compatible with their own feelings. There is often an unwillingness to be governed by the judgment of the more experienced, or even the testimony of the Spirit, selfish motives, or self-esteem, or the counsel of the inexperienced deciding the course of action. The question, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" is too often supplanted by, "Lord, I want to do thus and so."

Again, it often occurs that when the right course has been undertaken, results are expected before a proper experience in the labor has been attained, and discouragement arises. A desire to change and enter some other branch of service takes hold of the mind. Dissatisfaction in the present position, through lack of perseverance, and visions of great things to be accomplished in another field, with perhaps the ever-ready incompetent advice, again decides the course to be pursued.

It is unnecessary to follow up the sequel to such a course of labor. A casual glance will reveal the end of such efforts. Suffice it to say that the professed servant of God who insists upon choosing his own field under all circumstances, or who expects to reap before he has sown, or aspires to leadership before having learned to be led, will in the end prove to have been in reality a servant of Satan. Had Paul persisted in a determination to be his own adviser as to how and where he would labor, he would no doubt have lost his life early in the race, as also his honorable place in the history of the church. He could not have wound up his earthly career with the satisfaction of having "fought the good fight." But Paul yielded, and suffered himself to be led, not only in labor, but to prison, to scourgings, and to death. So any who would succeed in the vineyard of the Lord must be servants and not masters—not even master of self—doing the will of him who "bought us with a price."

W. N. GLENN.