THE YOUNG CONVERT’S INQUIRY
‘Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?’
There is much to learn, and much to imitate, in these words, if you take almost each of them separately. But I want to fasten attention upon the general question. It is not so easy, in after years, to be always saying, ‘Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?’ Therefore, the more cherish it, and honour it, and thank God for it, and hold it precious, and use it, when you have it.
Every one who wishes to labour in God’s vineyard, and who watches his opportunities, and the leadings of God’s hand, and listens for the inner voices, will not be left long without some open door, and some plain indication where his task lies.
Three things you have to consider and require in this matter.
I. First, that it be a real work.—By a real work, I mean that it be something which calls forth your energies, and exercises you in unselfishness and self-sacrifice.
II. Secondly, that it be a work for which you have a proper gift, determining it to be your own mission.
III. And thirdly, that it be God’s work—commenced because you love Him; carried on in dependence upon Him; and done that you may glorify Him.
If these three conditions meet, you may rest assured that you have found your own true sphere, and that your question has been answered, ‘Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?’
Rev. James Vaughan.
Illustration
‘When Christ said to St. Paul, “Go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do,” He meant no other than that He Himself would tell him, but not at that time. The answer was postponed, till St. Paul was ready to receive it; but the answer was wholly of God. There is often a misapprehension upon this verse. It teaches us that when a man is really seeking the truth, God will be sure Himself to show it to him; but he must not be surprised if, nevertheless, an interval elapse before he sees it. No doubt there was some misapprehension in St. Paul’s mind when he made that earnest inquiry. It is almost certain that, in accordance with his previous Pharisaic views, he was thinking rather of what he must “do” for God—than what God must “do” for him—that he might be saved. Therefore God Himself immediately changed the thought—“I will shew him how great things he must suffer.” ’