June 10
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeMonday of the Third Week after Easter
Behold, I have set before thee an open door. Revelation 3:8.
"AN open door," a door of opportunity. Before every one of us, every day of our existence, God opens the door of opportunity. He has "made ready good works for us to do," and we, many of us, are always wanting work, always seeking "our sphere of usefulness," as we call it. And every man's work lies close to his hand; he touches it every day. Yes, the honoured, the sacred work, apportioned you by God, the work over which there hangs the jewelled crown of the kingdom of heaven, your hand touches every day. Your character, which gives you power, influence, your geniality, your cheerfulness, your sympathy, your business powers, your honest worth, anything that gives you influence, be it influence over a little child only, there lies one of your talents; and every day God sets before you good works.
New mercies, each returning day, Hover around us while we pray; New perils past, new sins forgiven, New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.
If on our daily course our mind Be set to hallow all we find, New treasures still of countless price God will provide for sacrifice.
The trivial round, the common task, Would furnish all we ought to ask; Room to deny ourselves; a road To bring us, daily, nearer God.
Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love Fit us for perfect rest above; And help us, this and every day, To live more nearly as we pray.