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..