A Moment’s Wisdom
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.” This anonymous Quaker Proverb was published in Household Words: A Weekly Journal. The year was 1859. It beautifully expresses a truth that Jesus recognized and defined approximately 1830 years prior. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4) . The apostle Paul was inspired to leave that very instruction. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9, 10).
More to Do
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Co 5:1-10). The preceding scripture describes our hope of an eternal form. Paul states our attitude as “confident” and then restates it as “well pleased”! Paul had an internal conflict over this very situation. He describes it to the Philippian brethren. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, (Php 1:19-25),
Michelle’s grandfather, the late Earl Gibson, faced heart surgery many years ago. He was concerned with the outcome and stated to me that he did not want to die. Earl was not concerned with the state of his soul. He did not want to leave this world because he had “more to do”. He was concerned with the souls of his neighbors and his grandchildren. Earl was truly a patriarch. His spiritual influence permeated the entire family and his community. May our influence grow to include the same spheres in our lives. Friends, we have more to do.