Being and Doing – 2 December – Self-examination

TIME is spent in lamenting past sins, which ought to be spent in attending to present duties; the heart is given up to fears which ought to be given up to God;  weak regret takes the place of vigorous resolution;  longings for a sense of God’s presence, or for a sense of our own love, fill up our souls when we ought to be proving our love by the proof which He has named, that is, keeping His commandments.

Bishop TEMPLE

THE full employment of all powers, physical, mental, and spiritual, is the true secret of happiness, so that no time may be left for morbid self-analysis.

TOM HUGHES

TO WATCH one’s soul all the time, seeking for moral disease, is as bad as to watch one’s body all the time, seeking for physical disease.   Do not look within to see whether your feelings are right;  but look without to see what you are doing for others;  what you are saying;  what your temper and spirits are to those about you.   Look up, also, for higher light and more life.

J. F. CLARKE

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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.