| Strength and Beauty |
Chapter 12 |
Page 5 |
Enough has been said to show that religion is not meant to be merely an adjunct of life, but is to enter into the life itself and to change it all into the quality of the life of Christ. We come together in our church services to give God something, to worship him; but we come also and chiefly to receive something from God, to have our strength renewed, our spirit quickened, that we may go out into the world to live more righteously and to be greater blessings to others.
Peter wished to make three tabernacles on the Mount of Transfiguration and to hold the blessed heavenly vision there. But his wish was a mistaken one. There was a ministry of love which the Master himself had yet to perform. At the foot of the mountain, at that very hour, a poor boy was waiting to be freed from demoniacal possession. A little farther on, Gethsemane and Calvary were waiting for Jesus. Think what the world would have lost of blessing if Peter’s prayer had been answered, if Jesus had remained on the mount! Then, for Peter himself, and his companions, service was waiting. Think, also, what a loss it would have been if these apostles had not come down from the Transfiguration mount to do the work which they afterwards did!
Hours of ecstasy are granted us here to fit us for richer life and better service for Christ and our fellow men. We pray, and read our Bible, and sit at the Lord’s Table, that we may get new power from God to prepare us for being God’s messengers to the world, and new gifts to carry in our hands to hearts that hunger.
“They who tread the path of labor follow where my feet have trod;
They who work without complaining do the holy will of God.
Where the many toil together, there am I among my own;
Where the tired workman sleepeth, there am I with him alone.
I, the Peace that passeth knowledge, dwell amid the daily strife;
I, the Bread of heaven, am broken in the sacrament of life.”
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