Unruffled Gladness

Opened Treasures, compiled by Pell, William JTaken from Opened Treasures, 1st edition, July 22nd:

PREPARED FOR HIS APPOINTMENTS

Thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my

 lord the king shall appoint.  2 Samuel 15:15

This is the secret of steady and unruffled gladness in "the business of the Lord, and the service of the King," whether we are "over the treasures of the house of God," or, "for the outward business over Israel."  It makes all the difference! If we are really, and always, and equally ready to do whatsoever the King appoints, all the trials and vexations arising from any change in His appointments, great or small, simply do not exist.

If He appoints me to work there, shall I lament that I am not to work here?

If He appoints me to wait indoors today, am I to be annoyed because I am not to work out-of-doors?

If I meant to write His messages this morning, shall I grumble because He sends interrupting visitors, rich or poor, to whom I am to speak them, or "show kindness" for His sake, or at least obey His command, "Be courteous"?

If all my members are really at His disposal, why should I be put out if today's appointment is some simple work for my hands or errands for my feet, instead of some seemingly more important doing of head or tongue?

The "whatsoever" is not necessarily active work. It may be waiting (whether half an hour or half a lifetime), learning, suffering, sitting still. But, dear fellow-servants of "my Lord the King," shall we be less ready for these, if any of them are His appointements for today? "Whatsoever the king did pleased all the people." "Ready" implies something of preparation--not being taken by surprise. So let us ask Him to prepare us for all that He is preparing for us. And may "the hand of God give" us "one heart to do the commandment of the King"!

Speak to me by name, O Master, let me know it is to me;

Speak, that I may follow faster, with a step more firm and free...

~all of the above written by Francis R. Havergal

This was a challenging word to me this morning, as i am one who tends to get annoyed when plans change. Through this i am beginning to understand that my time is the Lord's, to do with as HE see's fit. Deeply do i desire "unruffled gladness" in His service, even if it means a change in "my" plans..



Worship

Do you ever have a Sunday where you feel like you could go home after the worship time, having been totally challenged in your thinking? Sometimes the sermon is a bonus...

Sunday we were singing a song that has a refrain that goes like this at the end: "we lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes..You're the giver of life..". as i was singing that part, i heard softly "My child, lift up your eyes to me, and I will lift you up. I am the giver of life."

Now, i know this. This is nothing ne to me. But it finally made the journey from my mind to my heart. Tears sprang up as i realized i had been looking to other things to give me life and to fill me up. i was choosing anxiety and worry, over trusting prayer. i was choosing how i wanted things to go, over the Sovereignty of my Lord and God. Let's just say that i was challenged to my core. Grateful that He would chasten me. Thankful that i can look up and He is waiting there.

Corrie TenBoom was known for always having her eyes to the sky, watching for her Saviour to return on the clouds. May that be how i live my own life. Ever watching, Ever waiting, Ever Trusting.