| The Glory of the Common Life |
Chapter 5 |
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It will do us good to get anew into our hearts this fact of God in all our life. Some people are always afraid of the dangers about them. They are afraid of sickness, of trouble, of pain, of the darkness, of accidents, of death. But there really never is any reason for fear if we have God. When evil is plotting against you and the plot is closing, and you are about to be destroyed, God comes in and you are delivered.
What then, is the true way of living? It is to go quietly on in obedience, in faithfulness, in trust, asking no questions, having no fears, letting God care for us in his own way. This does not mean that we shall never suffer, that pain, sorrow, or death shall never touch us. Not all believers in the New Testament days were delivered from the plots of enemies. James was killed; while Peter was led by an angel out of the prison, and lived for many years. Stephen was not rescued from martyrdom, but was left to die. St. Paul himself, saved many times from death, at last was beheaded.
While a Christian man’s work is still unfinished, there is no power that can strike him down. Back of all men’s plots and schemes stands God and no human hatred can beat down any one of his until he wills it. Jesus told Pilate that he could have no power to crucify him until it was given to him from God. When a true Christian is allowed to suffer, it is because God permits it, because it is God’s will, and then it is a blessing. When a faithful follower of Christ meets accident, when in some catastrophe he loses his life, or when he is suddenly taken away, nothing has gone wrong with God’s plans. God is not surprised or shocked as we are. No break in his plan has occurred. The man’s death leaves nothing unfinished that it was meant he should do. Our plans are broken continually by life’s changes – accidents, interruptions, and vicissitudes – but God’s great plan never is broken.
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