The Every-Day Life by Western Christian Advocate

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 3, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 26.

The Every-Day Life.

By Western Christian Advocate

It is our every-day life that decides what kind of Christians we are. We cannot form a proper estimate of Christian character by seeing our friends now and then, or passing a day or two in their society at intervals. We are generally thrown into the society of our friends upon pleasant occasions. We meet them upon life's holidays oftener than in the usual routine of daily duties. We greet them on social occasions when they are prepared to meet us with pleasant words and loving smiles. It is easy then to smile and speak kindly. It is easy to wear a cheerful look when the burden and task are put away from them, and when free from the influences that fret and chafe the body and soul.

Divine grace is not always required upon occasions like this to win the good opinion and approval of others. There is often enough natural goodness about human beings to bring to the surface of their lives those genial graces which charm other eyes and win the respect and confidence of those with whom they come in contact.

Not so, however, in the every-day life. Divine grace alone can sustain the soul when the burden is heavy, and care and trial meet us at every step. There is not enough moral strength in the heart of humanity to sustain it, when the body is weary, and the poor, weak arms just ready to let fall the burden. When trial, discouragement, and disaster all combine to render the life path dreary, then the blessed faith in Christ alone holds those unpleasant influences in check, and stills the troubled waters. With the abiding Comforter in the soul, it is as easy to smile and appear cheerful in adverse circumstances as for the worldling to be happy in the hours of peace and prosperity.

It is our every-day life that builds up our Christian character. If we overcome the daily annoyances of life, we grow strong and heroic, and it soon becomes a pleasant task to do, bear, and suffer. The service of Christ is one that grows lighter and more pleasant as the years go by. It never galls and inflicts needless wounds upon those who are engaged in it.

It is our daily life that exerts a lasting influence over the world. It is this that tests the value of religion, and proves to others that it is pure gold and not a mere profession. It weighs and measures the golden treasure in a way which proves its great worth, and the skeptic himself stands confounded and silenced.

A holy every-day life is the constant practice of the divine principle which saves, lifts up, and elevates the human soul. It is to act in harmony with the blessed requirements of the gospel. It is the sure way to the grand immortal life, which shall make up the eternal ages. Then let us live a holy, consistent life every day, and it will certainly "be well with us."—Western Christian Advocate.