Being and Doing – 27 January – Character and Work

I AM often struck by seeing how the loftiness of the life of Jesus altogether escaped the perplexity of many of the questions with which our lives are troubled, as the eagle flying through the sky is not worried how to cross the rivers.

We debate whether self-culture or our brethren’s service is the true purpose of our life.

We vacillate aimlessly.
Now we shut ourselves up and meditate, and try to grow.
Now we rush forth and make the wide world ring with what we call our work.
The two so often have no connection with each other.

We are so apt to live two lives.
But Jesus knows but one.
All culture of His soul is part of our salvation.
All doing of His work is ripening His nature…

Not until the apostle of self-culture knows that no man can come to his best by selfishness, and the apostle of usefulness knows that no man can do much for other men who is not much himself; not until then shall men have fairly started on the broad road to the completeness of God their Father in the footsteps of the Son of Man.

PHILLIPS BROOKS.

WE must be more; and to be more we must more often think of our Ideal.

A. S. BARNET.

oooOOOooo

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.