“Learn to grapple with souls. Aim at the conscience. Exalt Christ. Use
a sharp knife with yourself. Say little, serve all, pass on.
This is true greatness, to serve unnoticed and work unseen.
Oh, the joy of having nothing and being nothing, seeing but
a living Christ in glory, and being careful for nothing but His interests down here.”
— J.N. Darby
As a
young believer, I was being asked to go here or there, preach or give
counsel to others, and seemed to be on the rise and gaining some sense of
purpose from it all. I was encouraged to put a high value on doing “the
Lord’s work”. I had yet to learn that, for most believers, this will mean
in a kitchen, in a barn, on the factory floor, or behind the desk in a conglomerate.
All my activity made me to think I should pursue a path that would make
any gift I had received from God of benefit to more people.