Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 79, 1903

How God Trains His Workers

August 4, 1903 [typed]

This manuscript is published in entirety in 8MR 422-424.

Christ has given to every man his work, and we are to acknowledge the wisdom of the plan He has made for us by a hearty co-operation with Him. It is in a life of service only that true happiness is found. He who lives a useless, selfish life is miserable. He is dissatisfied with himself and with every one else. 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 1

True, unselfish, consecrated workers gladly use their highest gifts in the lowliest service. They realize that true service means to see and to perform the duties that God points out. 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 2

There are many who are not satisfied with the work that God has given them. They are not satisfied to serve Him pleasantly in the place that He has marked out for them, or to do uncomplainingly the work that He has placed in their hands. 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 3

It is right for us to be dissatisfied with the way in which we perform duty, but we are not to be dissatisfied with the duty itself, because we would rather do something else. In His providence God places before human beings service that will be as medicine to their diseased minds. Thus He seeks to lead them to put aside the selfish preferences which, if cherished, would disqualify them for the work He has for them. If they accept and perform this service, their minds will be cured. But if they refuse it, they will be left at strife with themselves and with others. 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 4

The Lord disciplines His workers, so that they will be prepared to fill the places appointed them. He desires to mold their minds in accordance with His will. For this purpose He brings to them test and trial. Some He places where relaxed discipline and overindulgence will not become their snare, where they are taught to appreciate the value of time and to make the best and wisest use of it. 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 5

There are some who desire to be a ruling power and who need the sanctification of submission. God brings about a change in their lives and perhaps places before them duties that they would not choose. If they are willing to be guided by Him, He will give them grace and strength to perform the objectionable duties in a spirit of submission and helpfulness. They are being qualified to fill places where their disciplined abilities will make them of the greatest service. 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 6

Some God trains by bringing them disappointment and apparent failure. It is His purpose that they shall learn to master difficulty. He inspires them with a determination to make every apparent failure prove a success. 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 7

Often men pray and weep because of the perplexities and obstacles that confront them. But if they will hold the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end, He will make their way clear. Success will come to them as they struggle against apparently insurmountable difficulties; and with success will come the greatest joy. 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 8

Many are ignorant of how to work for God, not because they need to be ignorant, but because they are not willing to submit to His training process. Moab is spoken of as a failure because, the Word declares, “he hath been at ease from his youth, ... and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel; ... therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” [Jeremiah 48:11.] 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 9

Thus it is with those whose hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong are not purged from them. Their hearts are not cleansed from defilement. They were given opportunity to do a work for God, but this work they did not choose to do, because they wished to carry out their own plans. 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 10

The Christian is to be prepared for the doing of a work that reveals kindness, forbearance, longsuffering, gentleness, patience. The cultivation of these precious gifts is to come into the discipline life of the Christian, that when called to service by the Master, he may be ready to exercise the energies of heart and mind in helping and blessing those who are ready to die. 18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 11