Teacher,” said a young servant to the Christian lady in whose Bible Class she had been converted, “I wish I could do something for the Lord; but you know I only get out on Sunday afternoons, and have no opportunity.”
“O yes, Mary, you have many opportunities of serving the Lord,” said the lady. “Will you open your Bible, and read Colossians 3:22,2322Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:22‑23)? Read the verses aloud, please. And Mary read,
“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
“There you see your opportunity for serving the Lord, Mary. “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” You are Mrs. W’s servant, it is true, but you are the Lord’s servant too, and in serving your earthly mistress well, you serve Him.”
“I never knew that before, ma’m,” said Mary. “I thought it was only when we were giving-away tracts, and speaking to people about their souls, that we were serving the Lord. Now I see that I may serve Him all the day.”
“Yes, Mary, as truly as if you were a missionary preaching Christ in far-off lands. Your place of service is where the Lord has placed you, and if you serve Him faithfully in your chosen sphere, He will reward you at His judgment-seat.”
Mary went away to her rather lonely place of service, with a new motive filling her soul. She formerly did her work Only as for Mrs. W., now she went to do it for the Lord as well. And what a difference she found. Instead of murmuring and repining, because she could not get to meetings every night, as some of the girls did, to give away tracts, and gather the people to hear the gospel, she joyfully stuck to her post in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning as if the kitchen was the Lord’s. The work was a great deal better done, and Mary had more joy in the doing of it.
So may it be with all who serve an earthly master. It is their privilege there to serve the Lord, and to do the ordinary routine of daily work as unto Him. Do it well, and do it heartily, as to the Lord. This will make many a yoke easy, and many a burden light.
ML 10/30/1938