EMBRACE PEACEFUL CONTENT

By Charles H. Spurgeon

'Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.'
1 Corinthians 7:20

    Some persons have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live
for God is by becoming ministers, missionaries, or Bible women. Alas! how many
would be shut out from any opportunity of magnifying the Most High if this were
the case.

    Beloved, it is not office, it is earnestness; it is not position, it is grace which will
enable us to glorify God. God is most surely glorified in that cobbler's stall, where
the godly worker, as he plies the awl, sings of the Saviour's love, ay, glorified far
more than in many a prebendal stall where official religiousness performs its scanty
duties.

    The name of Jesus is glorified by the poor unlearned carter as he drives his horse,
and blesses his God, or speaks to his fellow labourer by the roadside, as much as by
the popular divine who, throughout the country, like Boanerges, is thundering out
the gospel.

    God is glorified by our serving Him in our proper vocations. Take care, dear reader,
that you do not forsake the path of duty by leaving your occupation, and take care you
do not dishonour your profession while in it.

    Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings.  Every lawful
trade may be sanctified by the gospel to noblest ends. Turn to the Bible, and you will
find the most menial forms of labour connected either with most daring deeds of faith,
or with persons whose lives have been illustrious for holiness.
    Therefore be not discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your
position, or your work, abide in that, unless you are quite sure that he calls you to
something else. Let your first care be to glorify God to the utmost of your power
where you are.

    Fill your present sphere to His praise, and if He needs you in another He will show
it you. Lay aside vexatious ambition, and embrace peaceful content.
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Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.