Being and Doing – 4 January – Ideal Life

At any moment we may turn from the poor reality to the great ideal of our own lives, which is in Christ, with one earnest question, ‘Lord, what would’st Thou have me to be?’  We may pierce through the clouds and reach the summit, and there, seeing His vision of our possibilities…  set to work to fulfil God’s image of our lives, to be all that he has shown us that it is possible for us to be.

PHILLIPS BROOKS

SOME high or humble enterprise of good
Contemplate, till it shall possess thy mind,
Become thy study, rest and food,
And kindle in thy breast a flame refined;
Pray Heaven for firmness thy whole soul to bind
To this thy purpose, to begin, pursue,
With thoughts all fixed, and feelings purely kind,
Strength to complete and with delight review,
And grace to give the praise where all the praise is due.

Mrs. SIGOURNEY.

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These quotes are from ‘Being and Doing’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1908 for members of the Being and Doing Guild whose object is to do all they can for the relief of suffering and misery.

Most of the writers are 19th Century Christians from Britain and Europe who were committed to living their faith through deeds as well as words – Being AND Doing.

For many years these words have kept me company and encouraged me on the journey of faith.  I hope they will encourage others also.