Our High Calling

Sustained Versus Spasmodic Effort, August 6

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. Proverbs 21:5. OHC 224.1

How many youth who might have become men of usefulness and power have failed because in early life they contracted habits of indecision which followed them through life to cripple all their efforts. Now and then they are filled with sudden zeal to do some great thing, but they leave their work half finished and it comes to nothing. Patient continuance in welldoing is indispensable to success.... Temperate, persevering, steady labor will achieve far more than can be accomplished by spasmodic efforts.... OHC 224.2

Labor was appointed to man by his Creator. God provided employment for our first parents in holy Eden. And since the Fall, man has been a toiler, eating his bread by the sweat of his brow. Every bone of his body, every feature of his countenance, every muscle of his limbs, evinces the fact that he was made for activity—not for idleness. OHC 224.3

Habits of industry should be formed in youth.... The faithful discharge of life's duties, whatever your position, calls for a wise improvement of all the talents and abilities that God has given you. Guard against being always hurried, yet accomplishing nothing worthy of the effort. These fruitless efforts are often caused by a failure to do the work at the proper time. Whatever is neglected at the time when it should be performed, whether in secular or in religious things, is rarely done well. Many appear to labor diligently every hour in the day, and yet produce no results to correspond with their efforts.... OHC 224.4

Be careful not to fritter away your time upon trifles, and then fail to carry out your undertakings that are of real account.... A steadfast adherence to a purpose is necessary in order to secure the end. A distinguished man was once asked how it was possible for him to accomplish such a vast amount of business. His answer was, “I do one thing at a time.” ... Jesus was an earnest worker, and those who follow His example will experience self-denial, toil, and sacrifice.^{8Letter 3, 1877.} OHC 224.5