As 'n mens Spurgeon se tekste lees, moet 'n mens verby die tipiese Victoriaanse taal-oorvloed en uithangerigheid kyk na die onderliggende geestelike instelling.
Die volgende boeiende stukkie bevestig 'n eeu-oue insig van menige Spiritualiteittekste. Dit bevat 'n hele reeks van wyshede.
Terwyl ek hierdie leeswerk hier opneem, val dit my op hoe die inhoud daarvan aansluit by die opmerkings van Spinoza wat ek gister hier gedeel het. Wat 'n stuk ironie - want daar is wêrelde wat Spinoza en Spurgeon van mekaar skei.
'n Mens, gee albei hierdie stukke te kenne, is in diens van God, ongeag of jy 'n hoë kerklik amp beklee. Dit is nie die amp wat tel nie. Wat tel is of 'n mens die Here dien, waar jy ook al is, en 'n instrument van God in jou eie konteks word.
Anders gestel: die kerkleier is nie die enigste "gesalfde van die Here" nie. Die kerkleier se geloofwaardigheid word nie deur haar/sy amp bepaal nie, maar deur haar/sy getrouheid.
Aldus ook in die sekulêre wêreld: 'n mens dien Here nie net as 'n predikant nie. Dit kan met enige een in vele plekke buite die kerk gebeur wanneer 'n mens met integriteit en in gehoorsaamheid, God se wil vir jou lewe uitleef.
Oral, oral, kan 'n mens 'n geroepene wees.
Hier is die stuk van 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, aye, 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.
This evening lay aside vexatious ambition, and embrace peaceful content.
Die volgende boeiende stukkie bevestig 'n eeu-oue insig van menige Spiritualiteittekste. Dit bevat 'n hele reeks van wyshede.
Terwyl ek hierdie leeswerk hier opneem, val dit my op hoe die inhoud daarvan aansluit by die opmerkings van Spinoza wat ek gister hier gedeel het. Wat 'n stuk ironie - want daar is wêrelde wat Spinoza en Spurgeon van mekaar skei.
'n Mens, gee albei hierdie stukke te kenne, is in diens van God, ongeag of jy 'n hoë kerklik amp beklee. Dit is nie die amp wat tel nie. Wat tel is of 'n mens die Here dien, waar jy ook al is, en 'n instrument van God in jou eie konteks word.
Anders gestel: die kerkleier is nie die enigste "gesalfde van die Here" nie. Die kerkleier se geloofwaardigheid word nie deur haar/sy amp bepaal nie, maar deur haar/sy getrouheid.
Aldus ook in die sekulêre wêreld: 'n mens dien Here nie net as 'n predikant nie. Dit kan met enige een in vele plekke buite die kerk gebeur wanneer 'n mens met integriteit en in gehoorsaamheid, God se wil vir jou lewe uitleef.
Oral, oral, kan 'n mens 'n geroepene wees.
Hier is die stuk van 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, aye, 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.
This evening lay aside vexatious ambition, and embrace peaceful content.
