| The Glory of the Common Life |
Chapter 11 |
Page 6 |
Shall we not learn the lesson which Thomas had not learned, and avoid making the mistake he made? Life is full of opportunities of blessing, but too often we miss them. Shall we not learn to accept them every one? The room was chill and uncomfortable, for it was mid winter. Presently a beam of sunlight stole in through a crack in the shutter, and fell in a patch of brightness on the floor. The little dog had been lying in the cold and gloom. But the moment he saw a spot of sunshine on the carpet he got up and walked over to it and lay down in it. The dog teaches us a lesson. Wherever we see a spot of light in the darkness of our condition or circumstances, let us hasten to it and appropriate it. Whenever we find a comfort or a pleasure, however it may have come to us, let us accept it. Whenever there is any beautiful thing along our path, it is for us, it was put there expressly for us; let us take it into our heart and enjoy it as we go on our way.
Let us miss no opportunity to be where Christ may be, to stand where he may pass by, and to go where he may come. The mistake of Thomas was that in his gloom and discouragement he was not in the company of the apostles that night. He lost the opportunity of seeing the Lord living and of having his doubts and griefs swept away by the light of faith and love. Many of us continually miss opportunities of gladness and beauty. We nurse our sorrows and turn not our faces toward the comforts of God. We stay in our little dark rooms with the shutters closed, and go not out into the blessed sunlight. We are not as happy Christians as we ought to be. We miss blessings we might enjoy. We live in the mists and fogs of the valley, when we might be dwelling on the clear mountain tops. We neglect opportunities of receiving divine revealing, and then say we cannot believe. Let us open our hearts to the beauty and grace of Christ; however it may come to us. Then we shall have no more doubts and fears, but shall find light and joy everywhere.
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